Palm Beach State College President Ava Parker said that the first segment of a statewide network that supports quantum computing is now operational.
The segment, which went live on Oct. 15, connects PBSC to Florida Atlantic University. It is being hailed as a significant step forward in Palm Beach County's push to establish itself as a hub for quantum computing, an emerging field of computer science being developed to solve complex problems faster than supercomputers.
PBSC got a $1 million defense infrastructure grant from FloridaCommerce, the state agency that manages economic development, to help pay for its work in quantum computing. The college is partnering with the Florida LambdaRail fiber-optics network, FAU and Palm Beach County, and IonQ,
a Maryland-based firm that develops quantum computers.
"This partnership is a model for how higher education, industry and government can work together to build the infrastructure and talent that will drive Florida's future,” Parker said.
"By connecting students to leading-edge technologies while strengthening secure communications across our region and state, we are creating opportunities that extend far beyond our campuses. At the same time, we are preparing students for careers in the technologies that will power our economy and protect our critical infrastructure."
The development of computer systems and technology spurred generations of growth and wealth in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1970s and 1980s. Business and civic leaders in Palm Beach County see quantum computing as a new wave that could crest here because of the state's comparatively low tax and regulatory environment and the presence of colleges and universities eager to work in the field.
PBSC won a $4.95 million grant from FloridaCommerce's Job Growth Grant Fund to offer quantum computing support courses at its downtown West Palm Beach campus. The courses would start in spring 2027, according to PBSC officials, who estimate that 970 students will enroll during the first decade of its Quantum Systems Certification program.
FAU recently hosted a symposium on emerging industries where quantum computing was a major focus. The symposium drew a U.S. Treasury Department official and Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
FAU is working with D-Wave Quantum Inc., a quantum hardware firm, in a $20 million initiative to have a quantum supercomputer built on the university's Boca Raton campus. D-Wave has moved its headquarters to Boca Raton from California.
Kelly Smallridge, president and chief executive officer of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, said such moves are important for the county as it seeks to diversify its economy to include more than agribusiness and tourism.
"As an economic development board, we really have been leading the way and developing a vision that brings in new technology to the area so that Palm Beach County is not left behind," she said.
"And this means, in the case of quantum, how does quantum advance the already existing strong industries that we've been working on for decades? Does it have an application to our life sciences industry? Our port, our airport, the very infrastructure of which all residents use on a daily basis?"
Smallridge said quantum's growth could be equated to the development of the internet.
"You know, decades ago, nobody ever understood what the internet would be about," she said. "And I feel the same way about quantum right now. But if we bring it into Palm Beach County, then our local companies are going to be impacted. They're going to be exposed on that front end because this is a very, very new technology."
Smallridge said she can already envision some applications for quantum computing, including those that will get new drugs to market more quickly and help the port, airport and financial firms operate more efficiently.
"And that's going to impact every resident in this county," she said.
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education and Riviera Beach development for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBSC takes key role in Palm Beach County’s quantum computing push
