Washington’s Quantum Challenge: Promise vs. Progress
In the shadow of tech giants and world-class research institutions, Washington state finds itself at a critical crossroads in the quantum technology race. Despite possessing what many would consider ideal ingredients for quantum innovation – including powerhouses like Microsoft and Amazon, hardware leader IonQ, and renowned research at the University of Washington and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – the state appears to be losing ground to competitors like Illinois, Montana, and Colorado. This surprising disconnect was highlighted during a recent Tech Alliance event in Seattle, where experts and officials gathered to discuss how Washington can reclaim momentum in a technology field that promises to revolutionize computing by solving complex problems far beyond the capabilities of traditional computers.
The urgency for action was palpable among panelists, with Republican Representative Stephanie Barnard of Eastern Washington’s 8th Legislative District boldly proposing a $100 million investment “to get quantum going where it needs to be.” Her call for courage and dynamic leadership underscores the growing recognition that quantum technology isn’t merely another incremental advance but a transformative force requiring significant commitment. “It takes a political will to recognize the needs of this state,” Barnard emphasized, suggesting that Washington might need to reconsider its funding priorities, potentially redirecting subsidies from established industries toward quantum development. She pointed to the hundreds of millions previously invested in solar incentives, arguing that a similar investment in quantum could yield substantial returns: “If you subsidized quantum $300 million over the next 10 years, think of where you would be.”
However, financial realities present significant obstacles to such ambitious proposals. Beau Perschbacher, policy advisor for Governor Bob Ferguson, delivered a sobering assessment of the state’s fiscal constraints amid revenue declines. “Big new significant investments at this time [are] going to be very hard,” he acknowledged, while suggesting alternative approaches that wouldn’t require massive capital outlays. “We don’t have to make a huge capital investment — but you can still really advance the cause,” Perschbacher noted, advocating for a focus on coordination and workforce strategy as more achievable short-term goals. This pragmatic view reflects the challenging budget environment that led to the veto of quantum strategy language in the 2025 state budget, with the Department of Commerce instead directed to pursue partnerships and policy recommendations that might require less immediate funding.
Meanwhile, other states are seizing the quantum opportunity with decisive action and substantial investments. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has committed an impressive $500 million for a quantum campus near Chicago, while Montana, Maryland, and Colorado are actively advancing their quantum strategies and workforce investments. This widening gap threatens Washington’s competitive position, as University of Washington professor Charles Marcus, who directs the Northwest Quantum Nexus, warned that quantum researchers will “go to where the funding is and where the environment favors success.” Marcus characterized the quantum race as one “in which, if you’re standing still, you’re going backwards,” emphasizing the need for educational programs aligned with industry needs. Specifically, he called for companies to support dedicated master’s programs to produce graduates ready for immediate employment: “The master’s program is what industry needs regionally. It needs a small number of PhDs, but it needs a large number of masters.”
Despite these challenges, Washington possesses genuine momentum and existing infrastructure that could be leveraged rather than reinvented. In 2023, regional tech leaders envisioned creating a “Quantum Valley” modeled after Silicon Valley, building on the state’s technological heritage. Laura Ruderman, CEO of Tech Alliance and moderator of the panel discussion, suggested scaling existing initiatives rather than starting from scratch: “We need to fund NQN,” she said, referring to the Northwest Quantum Nexus founded in 2019 by the University of Washington, Microsoft, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This approach aligns with the resource constraints identified by state officials while potentially accelerating progress by building on established foundations rather than constructing entirely new frameworks.
The urgency for action was perhaps most clearly articulated by Margaret Arakawa, Chief Marketing Officer of quantum computing leader IonQ, which recently opened the first dedicated quantum computer manufacturing facility in the United States near Seattle. Arakawa emphasized that successful quantum hubs feature governors who make quantum technology a visible priority and actively engage industry in co-investment opportunities. Her message to Washington’s leaders was unambiguous: “Please let it happen now, and don’t wait.” This plea encapsulates the fundamental tension facing Washington’s quantum aspirations – between the remarkable potential represented by its existing technological ecosystem and the risk of falling permanently behind more aggressive competitors. As quantum technologies move from theoretical concepts toward practical applications, the decisions made in the coming months may determine whether Washington becomes a quantum leader or watches from the sidelines as others define the future of this revolutionary technology.
