{"id":77229,"date":"2026-05-22T13:38:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T17:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=77229"},"modified":"2026-06-08T08:40:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:40:54","slug":"epb-partners-with-utc-to-expand-quantum-workforce-development-and-economic-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/epb-partners-with-utc-to-expand-quantum-workforce-development-and-economic-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"EPB partners with UTC to expand quantum workforce development and economic impact\u202f\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo by Angela Foster\/UTC<\/p><\/div>\n

The EPB Board of Directors today approved a resolution to provide new support to expand academic and research leadership at the\u202fUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga and to create new pathways for quantum research commercialization.<\/p>\n

The\u202fpartnership will\u202fstrengthen\u202fChattanooga\u2019s growing quantum ecosystem by expanding workforce development, advancing applied quantum research, and accelerating efforts to translate emerging quantum technologies into real-world economic opportunity. The resolution builds upon EPB’s long-standing collaboration with UTC by expanding the access of its students and researchers to EPB\u00a0Quantum\u00a0Center<\/a>SM<\/sup>, the nation\u2019s first facility to offer commercial access to both quantum computing and quantum networking.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough this partnership, we are\u202fenhancing\u202fChattanooga\u2019s ability to prepare\u202fpeople in our region\u202ffor the jobs of the future,\u201d said UTC Chancellor Lori Mann Bruce. \u201cBy expanding access to education and research opportunities in quantum technology, we are building a workforce that can support long-term economic growth and innovation in\u202fChattanooga and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, these efforts\u202ffurther solidify\u202fChattanooga’s position as both a growing quantum hub and a leader in developing a quantum-ready workforce\u00a0and innovation economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cUTC\u202fhas been\u202fa cornerstone of Chattanooga\u2019s leadership in the quantum space,\u201d said EPB Board Chair Vicky Gregg. \u201cEPB\u2019s expanded partnership\u202fwith UTC will grow Chattanooga’s quantum-ready workforce while fueling research efforts to\u202frealize the real-world benefits of this paradigm-shifting technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

Growing\u00a0workforce,\u00a0innovation\u00a0and\u00a0research\u00a0commercialization\u00a0opportunities<\/h4>\n

According to the\u202fMcKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor 2026<\/a>, quantum computing alone could create\u202fup to\u202f$2.7\u202ftrillion\u202fof economic value\u202fby 2035\u202fthrough\u202fthe commercialization of new use cases.\u202fEPB\u2019s support is a key step in advancing Chattanooga\u2019s quantum ecosystem, helping accelerate the development of talent and attract new investment to the region. According to\u202fUTC\u202fCenter for Economic Research Fellow Dr. Bento Lobo, EPB’s quantum assets are projected to generate up to\u202f$1.1 billion\u202fin community benefit<\/a> in\u00a0Chattanooga\u00a0over the next 10 years.<\/p>\n

The partnership will expand UTC quantum programs, which serve learners at every stage, including K-12 students, undergraduate and graduate students, and\u202fworking professionals seeking new skills. EPB and UTC have also worked together to provide public education opportunities that help the community understand and access developments in quantum technology.<\/p>\n

UTC plans to use funding to bolster Chattanooga’s quantum ecosystem through workforce\u202fdevelopment, applied research, and exploring pathways to commercialization to support local economic opportunity and help bring innovations out of the lab and into the real world:<\/p>\n