An executive order from Gov. Spencer Cox seeks to put Utah at the forefront of quantum technology.
The order, in effect through 2028, establishes the Utah Quantum Initiative, a statewide effort to accelerate research, commercialization, workforce development and advanced manufacturing in quantum technology. It follows a federal executive order in June pushing for the U.S. to be a leader in the industry.
The governor’s action makes quantum technology a priority in Utah’s economic strategy and establishes a Quantum Coordination Council led by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The council will involve leaders from state government, higher education and industry to coordinate the state’s quantum strategy and better position the state for private investment and federal opportunities.
Quantum technology uses the rules of physics at an atomic level. It harnesses subatomic phenomena to perform tasks in computing, sensing and communication that regular machines cannot do. A news release from the governor notes that many of these technologies are still developing but they have the potential to solve certain problems beyond the practical reach of today’s computers; create extraordinarily precise sensors; and enable advances across national security, medicine, energy, manufacturing and other industries.
“Quantum technology is going to change how we compute, communicate, manufacture, discover new medicines and defend our country, and Utah has the people and infrastructure to help lead that transformation,” Cox said. “We already have world-class researchers, a strong semiconductor and advanced manufacturing base, a growing technology sector and important defense assets. This initiative is about connecting those strengths; building a workforce ready for what comes next; and making sure the technologies of the future are invented, built and put to work here in Utah.”
Utah already has a leg up in field, with an established semiconductor, electronics and advanced manufacturing sector that could play a key role in producing and integrating the specialized hardware quantum systems require. The state’s universities have research strengths in quantum sensing, photonics and quantum materials, supported by high-performance computing infrastructure that can be used for quantum simulation and hybrid classical-quantum computing.
The initiative also will connect quantum research with industries where Utah already has significant expertise, including aerospace and defense, life sciences and biotechnology. Hill Air Force Base, Dugway Proving Ground and Utah’s broader defense ecosystem provide potential pathways for testing and deploying quantum sensing, timing and communications technologies. Utah’s life-sciences sector could also benefit from advances in quantum computing for applications such as molecular simulation and drug discovery.
GOED will lead the initiative, with the Nucleus Institute as co-lead. The Quantum Coordination Council will include representatives from state government and higher education, with additional university, industry, government and legislative partners invited to participate.
By March 30, 2027, the council will deliver a report mapping Utah’s research infrastructure, manufacturing capacity and workforce assets. The report will help identify gaps and opportunities as Utah works to attract investment, support commercialization and compete for federal quantum programs.
“Utah doesn’t need to build a quantum ecosystem from scratch — many of the pieces are already here,” said Jefferson Moss, GOED’s commissioner and executive director of the Nucleus Institute. “Our job is to connect our researchers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, investors and workforce around a common strategy. If we do that well, Utah can become a place where quantum discoveries move from the laboratory into companies, products and real-world applications.”
Cox’s action follows a federal push in quantum information science and technology (QIST). President Donald Trump issued an executive order June 22 calling for continuing trailblazing quantum research and solidifying the nation’s position “as the world’s QIST superpower and deliver the commercial and research benefits of quantum innovation to the American people.” It also calls for a “whole-of-government approach to accelerate deployment and commercialization of quantum computing, sensing and networking.”
Among the state executive order’s priorities are to build on Utah’s strengths in quantum sensing, photonics, semiconductor manufacturing and high-performance computing; develop a quantum-ready workforce through career pathways, education and apprenticeship opportunities; accelerate commercialization of quantum technologies and support quantum-enabled companies and pilot projects; coordinate Utah’s pursuit of federal quantum funding and strengthen domestic supply chains; develop a defense-sector strategy focused on quantum sensing and communications; build greater public understanding of quantum technology and Utah’s role in the industry; and identify policy and funding recommendations to advance the initiative in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and legislative leaders.
