$3.7M Quantum Technology Investment Includes Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington is among five Northern Virginia localities included in a nearly $3.7 million state investment aimed at developing a workforce for the growing quantum technology industry.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Thursday that the Virginia Quantum Hub was awarded $3,684,912 through the Growth and Opportunity for Virginia, or GO Virginia, program.

The initiative covers Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and Fairfax City. According to the governor's office, the project will create a four-tier workforce pipeline for the quantum industry, establish shared regional infrastructure and develop a governance model designed to align the priorities of businesses and academic institutions.

State officials said the investment is intended to address demand for workers in the emerging technology sector, with more than 1,100 quantum-related jobs currently open in Northern Virginia.

“My Administration is committed to supporting and strengthening the industries that power economic growth in local communities across our Commonwealth,” Spanberger said. “These strategic investments reflect that focus: fostering innovation and building durable pathways to good jobs that support long-term economic security for Virginia families.”

Quantum Hub Part Of More Than $5 Million In Grants

The Virginia Quantum Hub received the largest of four GO Virginia grants totaling more than $5 million announced Thursday. The projects will leverage nearly $15 million in additional matching funds and private capital, according to the governor's office.

“These projects reflect the hard work and shared vision of local leaders, employers, educators, and innovators,” Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery said. “When we invest in capacity building for key industries — from quantum technology to agriculture, from manufacturing to IT — we invest in long-term economic growth across Virginia’s diverse regions.”

Other grants announced Thursday include $531,440 for a two-year business accelerator initiative serving Fredericksburg and parts of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck; $400,000 for an entrepreneurship program in Southside Virginia; and $332,900 to expand manufacturing workforce training in the Shenandoah Valley.

The Fredericksburg-area project will focus on information technology, professional and technical services, and agriculture. The Southside Virginia initiative will help businesses identify and implement artificial intelligence opportunities, while the Shenandoah Valley project will expand training in areas including automation, robotics, precision machining and industrial maintenance.

“These investments reflect exactly what GO Virginia was created to do — bring regions together, strengthen the industries that define our economic future, and create career opportunities for Virginians,” GO Virginia Board Chair Emily O’Quinn said.

GO Virginia was created in 2017 as a statewide economic development initiative focused on regional collaboration and high-growth industries. According to the governor's office, projects supported by the program have helped create 27,000 jobs, provided industry-aligned training opportunities for 58,000 people and served more than 27,000 businesses.

The program has also helped businesses access more than $700 million in capital for expansion, according to the state.