LOCKPORT — PsiQuantum, a California-based technology company that specializes in developing quantum computers, announced Thursday that it has rejected a proposal to build on the former Chevron site in Lockport, instead deciding to build a new research and production facility on the long-vacant site of U.S. Steel South Works in Chicago.
Lockport and Chicago were the two finalists for the facility, which is expected to eventually employ hundreds of people and include a large cryogenic facility to serve the cooling needs of research laboratories and future quantum computers.
Currently, quantum computing is largely a theoretical concept. PsiQuantum is one of several companies working to develop a scalable, “commercially useful” quantum computer. Companies such as IBM and Microsoft are also working on the computer, whose exponentially faster computing power could eventually lead to breakthroughs in areas such as cybersecurity and medical research.
While there are no commercially operating machines yet, Governor JB Pritzker has already invested heavily in attracting research into the new technology to Illinois through federal grants and the establishment of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, a research partnership with local universities, companies, Fermi National Laboratory, and Argonne National Laboratory.
“We knew we had it in Illinois, but we didn’t know where it was going to be sent until this week,” said Doug Pryor, president and CEO of the Will County Economic Development Center. “Illinois has a huge advantage in quantum, with Northwestern University, University of Illinois and University of Chicago already doing quantum research, as well as the Chicago Quantum Hub and the national lab. Fermi and Argonne don’t usually get a lot of attention, but they were big factors in this.”
Lockport Mayor Steven Streit said in a statement that initially there was little chance Lockport would get involved in the project outside of Will County.
“However, as meetings began and we presented our city to state organizations such as PsyQuantum, Intersect Illinois, World Business Chicago and the University of Illinois at Champaign, it became apparent that Lockport was not only viable but perhaps the better choice,” Streit said in a statement. “Not only because of our location, but also because of our preparedness, responsiveness and, dare I say it, personal appeal. This was a very close decision.”
Streit and Pryor noted that the PsiQuantum project has grown in scope from when it was proposed last year to the final proposal, so the decision was heavily influenced by available space.
“Eventually, the project outgrew our site,” Streit said, noting that the city-owned Chevron site is 180 acres, while the South Works site is more than 400 acres. “Other organizations started saying they wanted to be part of the campus. The University of Illinois got involved, DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) got involved, and we really started running out of space.”
“PsiQuantum came to the Chicago area, along with several other states, to look at potential sites,” Pryor said. “They had a great site in Lockport, but they were a little limited on space. It’s unfortunate, but it’s great for the state of Illinois and it’s important that this project is successful in a potential Chicago site.”
“That place has a bright future, although we don’t know what’s going to happen yet. We’re well positioned for what’s next.”
— Doug Pryor, president and CEO of the Will County Economic Development Center
The governor visited U.S. Steel Southworks in Chicago on Thursday to announce the PsiQuantum project.
“Illinois is leading the way in creating this first-of-its-kind quantum park to bring together stakeholders, experts and the next generation of quantum leaders,” Pritzker said in a statement after Chicago’s selection was announced. “We are pleased to have PsiQuantum as our anchor tenant as we launch this exciting collaboration to create the jobs of the future, and PsiQuantum’s choice of Chicago solidifies our position as a global hub for quantum computing.”
Future potential of the Rockport site
While the state-of-the-art technology center won’t be based in Lockport, city and Will County officials are looking on the bright side and choosing to take advantage of the attention the bidding process has brought to the Chevron site.
“We haven’t had a chance to advertise this property much since we purchased it,” Streit said, “but now all the developers know about it and may be interested in using it for other projects. A number of developers bid on both sites as part of their decision process, so they’ve learned a lot about the property and gotten to know our staff and see how easy they are to work with.”
Pryor also noted that the county, city and economic development center learned a lot about the land’s potential through the bidding process.
“The site was much more visible and we knew a lot more about its potential than we did prior to this process,” he said. “We knew the site could provide a lot of power for future development, and we looked closely at how we could bring utilities like water and sewer to the site. We also did thorough environmental due diligence and we believe it has been fully remediated by Chevron, which is a credit to Chevron. Chevron spent 10 years cleaning up this site and it’s now ready for use.”
Streit said he is pleased that PsyQuantum is moving forward with its plans.
“While this is an unfortunate decision, I want to thank city staff, County Executive Jennifer Bertino Tarrant, Will County CED Doug Pryor and the neighboring mayors who worked with us on this project,” the mayor added. “I also appreciate the efforts of World Business Chicago and Illinois Intersect, who worked with us on our proposal. I am very proud of my staff; they pulled out all the stops to move this development forward, and it’s been a great marketing move for the site.”
State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, released a statement expressing her hopes for the future development of Lockport and the rest of her district.
“While I am disappointed that Lockport was not selected to site the quantum computing facility, I believe our district is an ideal location for future technological advancements. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and I are committed to bringing economic development to the 43rd District,” Ventura said.
Streit said the city already has plans to talk again with Illinois Intersect about other possible business development at the site that would align with the area’s master plan for the property.
“The city has done an extremely good job with this proposal,” Pryor said. “It was a huge amount of work, but the city worked well with the PsiQuantum team to handle it. There is a bright future ahead for the site, although we don’t yet know what that may be. We are well prepared for the next opportunity.”
