US grants $25 million to develop optical quantum computers

On April 15, U.S. Congressman Elise Stefanik announced on her personal website that she had secured a $25 million grant from Congress to expand research, manufacture and test optical quantum computing technology at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York.

Elise Stefanik

Stefanik said: "I am proud to provide $25 million to support quantum computing efforts in Upstate New York, and under my advocacy, these taxpayer dollars will be returned to Upstate New York to support optical quantum computing research at the Rome Air Force Research Laboratory. Quantum computing is critical to the economy and national security of the 21st century, and upstate New York is at the center of leading our nation’s development in this area. During my tenure in Congress, I worked tirelessly to lead the research at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome. Tens of millions of dollars have come to ensure that upstate New York's emerging technology environment is well-funded and supported. I look forward to continuing this important work and providing additional funding for these efforts in the years to come."

Stefanik wrote in support of including the funding in the final U.S. defense appropriations bill, which has been secured in the spending plan for fiscal 2022.

During his tenure in Congress, Stefanik has secured tens of millions of dollars for the Rome lab through the National Defense Authorization Act and annual appropriations.

Link:

https://stefanik.house.gov/2022/4/stefanik-delivers-25-million-to-develop-the-next-generation-of-quantum-computers-at-rome-air-force-research-lab