< Previousquantum computing company, opened a manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington, and expanded its Seattle facilities from 65,000 sq. ft. to 105,000 sq. ft. The company says the manufacturing facility is the first in the U.S. to make quantum computers available for customers’ data centers. Since 2022, IonQ has marketed Forte, its largest single core quantum processor. “The Seattle facility represents a tangible realization of IonQ’s commitment to commercializing quantum and getting quantum computers into the hands of customers,” said IonQ CEO Peter Chapman at the facility opening. “IonQ is not just building a manufacturing facility; we’re also investing in the surrounding community drawing talent and thought leaders to Seattle and empowering organizations within the community with innovative quantum capabilities.” The company says it is working with Hyundai Motor Company, Airbus and GE Research on using quantum computing in their lines of business. And IonQ is working with QuantumBasel to install two quantum systems in Basel, Switzerland. The company also reports securing “a $25.5 million project with the United States Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to implement two next-generation quantum computing systems at their facilities in Rome, New York.” In June 2023, IBM said it would open a quantum data center this year in Ehningen, Germany, that will serve as its European cloud region. A similar facility can be found at IBM’s Poughkeepsie, New York, site. “Europe has some of the world›s most advanced users of quantum computers, and interest is only accelerating with the era of utility scale quantum processors,” said IBM Fellow and Vice President of IBM Quantum Jay Gambetta in announcing the data center. IBM markets two quantum processors, Condor and Heron. National Labs’ Role Other large players in the quantum computing space include Google Quantum AI, which is researching machine learning applications of AI; Microsoft; AWS and its Amazon Braket quantum computing service; and China’s Alibaba Group and Baidu. Berkeley, California-based Atm Computing formed a partnership in 2023 with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory to study how quantum computing can help optimize electric grids. DOE is a big player in advancing quantum computing. Five of its national laboratories lead National Quantum Information Science Research Centers that are hubs of quantum computing activity involving the labs, private companies and universities. Locations near these centers are ideal for startups and established players looking for ready access to talent. Here’s a quick rundown on them, provided by DOE’s Office of Science: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois: In addition to enabling scientific innovation, Q-NEXT will build a quantum-smart workforce, create quantum standards by building a National Quantum Devices Database, and provide pathways to the practical commercialization of quantum technology by embedding industry in all aspects of its operations and incentivizing start-ups. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York: The integrated five-year goal of C2QA is to deliver a factor of 10 improvement in each of software optimization, underlying materials and device properties, and quantum error correction, and to ensure these improvements combine to provide a factor of 1,000 improvement in appropriate computation metrics. Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, Illinois: In addition to scientific advances, SQMS will target tangible deliverables in the form of unique foundry capabilities and quantum testbeds for materials, physics, algorithms, and simulations that could broadly serve the national QIS ecosystem. Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California: Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA) aims to co-design the algorithms, quantum devices, and engineering solutions needed to deliver certified quantum advantage in scientific applications. The QSA will deliver a series of prototypes to broadly explore the quantum technology trade-space, laying the basic science foundation to accelerate the maturation of commercial technologies. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee: In addition to scientific goals, integral to the activities of the Quantum Systems Accelerator are development of the next generation of QIS workforce by creating a rich environment for professional development and close coordination with industry to transition new QIS applications to the private sector. Locations like these are bound to be leaders in attracting quantum computing investment, thanks to their built-in supply of expertise. The same can be said for locations with universities offering not just quantum degrees, but universities that are leading the way in quantum research, according to April 2022 research by The Quantum Insider, which ranked the best quantum computing universities. The top three are the University of Waterloo (Ontario) and its Institute for Quantum Computing, the University of Oxford and Harvard University with its Harvard Quantum Initiative. “Where is quantum computing going to grow, and what will it need? It’s going to grow near other science applications, and it’s going to need partners,” says BLS & Co.’s Tracey Hyatt Bosman, underlining the importance of the alliances and quantum computing consortia. “It will need proximity to those with experience servicing cutting-edge companies.” Switzerland and U.S. West Coast Display Superior Smarts wo rankings from organizations in Switzerland and Sweden create overlapping maps of the most mindful metros, aka smart cities. In April, the Smart City Observatory, part of the IMD World Competitiveness Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, revealed its newest Smart City Index, produced in partnership with the Seoul-based World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO). IMD said researchers combined hard data and survey responses from citizens in cities worldwide. e index found three of the top in IMD’s home country. Zurich topped the ranking, followed by Oslo, Norway, and Canberra, Australia. For the fi rst time since the Index’s creation in , there were no North American cities in the Top . All but three were Asian or European. e biggest upward move in the top was Taipei City moving up spots to No. . Shanghai moved up six places to No. , while Geneva and Dubai each moved up fi ve positions to No. and No. , respectively. IMD said Zurich, Oslo, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Beijing and Seoul are the most consistently high-performing cities in the top since the Index started in . Sweden-based real estate technology company ProptechOS released its own Smart City Index ranking cities in Europe and the United States based on indicators spanning connectivity and infrastructure, sustainability and the tech job market. Its highest-ranking European city was Paris, France, which didn’t make IMD’s global top . However, its No. -ranked city of London was No. in IMD’s index. IMD’s No. Amsterdam was No. on the ProptechOS list, while IMD’s No. Stockholm, Sweden, was No. in the rankings of ProptechOS, which is based in Stockholm. e company said Olympic Games host city Paris “boasts .% G coverage by the average network provider, Europe’s second-highest number () of AI companies, and the third-highest number (,) of free wifi hotspots. Paris is also known for its smart traffi c management systems, which help monitor noise levels, air quality and other environmental factors.” Seattle, Miami and Austin topped the Swedish company’s U.S. rankings, with the Bay Area metros of San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco taking three of the next four spots in that order. “Home to the likes of Amazon and Microsoft, Seattle scores highly for tech infrastructure,” the company said, “with AI companies and IoT companies headquartered there per , people.” by ADAM BRUNS adam.bruns@siteselection.com SMART CITIES 56 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION IMD’S 2024 TOP 10 SMART CITIES PROPTECHOS 2024 EUROPEAN SMART CITY RANKINGS PROPTECHOS 2024 U.S. SMART CITY RANKINGS 1. Zurich, Switzerland 2. Oslo, Norway 3. Canberra, Australia 4. Geneva, Switzerland 5. Singapore 6. Copenhagen, Denmark 7. Lausanne, Switzerland 8. London, United Kingdom 9. Helsinki, Finland 10. Abu Dhabi, UAE 1. Paris, France 2. London, United Kingdom 3. Amsterdam, Netherlands 4. Berlin, Germany 5. Madrid, Spain 6. Lisbon, Portugal 7. Stockholm, Sweden 8. Luxembourg 9. Dublin, Ireland 10. Copenhagen, Denmark 1. Seattle, Washington 2. Miami, Florida 3. Austin, Texas 4. San Jose, California 5. Oakland, California 6. Boston, Massachusetts 7. San Francisco, California 8. New York, New York 9. Los Angeles, California 10. Atlanta, Georgia Hyundai Motor Group in November 2023 opened its fi rst smart urban mobility hub, Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, in the No. 5 city in IMD’s Smart City Index. Image courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group e pandemic changed site selection patterns for companies and their workers. P edro Morgado knew what he was doing when he traded in the fast-paced urban lifestyle of Miami and Tampa for the quiet comforts of Harlan County, Kentucky. A remote information technology worker, Morgado says he was seeking “a small community where I can be around the woods, raise a family and enjoy a good life.” Tucked into the southeastern corner of Kentucky directly across the state line from Virginia, Harlan County is still experiencing a period of economic transition. Having relied on coal mining for over a century, Harlan is shifting slowly toward a smaller mix of commercial, retail and remote jobs. at suits Morgado just fi ne. “I grew up in a small town in Venezuela,” he says. “I love big cities, but they are crowded. I wanted to have a farm of my own. I saw this house online and bought it.” Morgado is one of a rapidly growing number of Americans taking advantage of relocation incentives to move across country and start a new life. Places like Harlan; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Lincoln, Kansas, are growing the ranks of their highly skilled, highly educated talent pools by enticing workers to move with handsome relocation stipends ranging from $, to $, or more for qualifying applicants. In many ways, Morgado is the ideal candidate. “I work remotely % of the time,” he says. “My company is based in Arkansas, but I wanted to be in a place where I could develop myself. Moving to Harlan was a big change. I don’t have to spend minutes driving to the grocery store anymore. ere is no traffi c here, and I love the people. It is really nice.” If he wants to visit a big city, he can drive to Lexington, Kentucky, or Knoxville, Tennessee. Each is about two and a half hours away. But he doesn’t plan on moving again. “I plan on staying in Harlan,” he says. “I want to help my community, and I want to help them bring more jobs here.” So far, more than , people have expressed interest in moving to the Appalachian hills of Eastern Kentucky, according to the organization MakeMyMove, a clearinghouse of data on relocation incentive programs for workers wanting a fresh start in a new town. Cheryl Reed, spokesperson for MakeMyMove, says, “Most news coverage about programs that pay remote workers to relocate focus on the incentives. But that’s not really what’s motivating the mass migration — including hundreds of people moving from major cities to small towns and country sides across the U.S. And it’s not what will compel them to stay.” Relationships Are the Real Incentives “ e money is just the hook,” says Kelly Gourley, executive director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation in Kansas. “It’s what comes after that makes someone feel good about the move.” Ayenna Gomez concurs. She recently took advantage of a local incentive off er and relocated from Atlanta to Lincoln by RON STARNER ron.starner@siteselection.com RURAL ADVANTAGE 58 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION Go Small or Go Home Remote work from rural America. Photo: Getty Images SITE SELECTION JULY 2024 59 S outhwest Florida is no stranger to boomtowns. From Cape Coral to North Port, this Gulf Coast region has seen its share of up-and-coming cities over the past two decades. But get ready for one more: Punta Gorda. Located in the heart of Charlotte County, about 30 minutes north of Fort Myers and 45 minutes south of Sarasota, Punta Gorda is a small town itching to bust out. According to data from University of Virginia demographic researcher Hamilton Lombard, Punta Gorda is the third-fastest-growing small metro for in-migration in the country since 2020, averaging growth of 4.2% annually in new movers. Since 2020, more than 32,000 new residents have moved to this small metro area, pushing the county’s total population fi gure to nearly 210,000 in 2024. The City of Punta Gorda has 21,690 residents today. “In commercial and industrial terms, we are making the map,” says Dave Gammon, economic development director for the county. “Punta Gorda is a vacation hotspot with charming old houses and a traditional downtown. Punta Gorda Isles has canals. Everyone has boats to get out to Charlotte Harbor, the second largest estuary in Florida.” The spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays, Punta Gorda is building a future where its primary opportunity for economic growth rests with fi ve interchanges on Interstate 75 (only one of which is built out) and Punta Gorda Airport Park. As of spring 2024, eight businesses had new facility space under construction in the park. Together, these expansion projects will add 1,000 jobs to the county. “Airport Park is starting to explode with manufacturing businesses,” says Gammon. “This is a good location for distribution which can serve Naples, Tampa and Okeechobee. We have available sites in the park, ranging from one to 100 acres. It is a simple on and off I-75 and right off U.S. Highway 17, which takes you to Orlando.” New residents who can’t fi nd a home to buy in quaint downtown Punta Gorda can choose from a variety of national builders in Babcock Ranch, a massive solar- powered community that already has 9,000 residents and is pushing toward 50,000. “They come to our Board of County Commissioners every month with a proposal for a new expansion,” says Gammon. “We are literally watching a new town form overnight in the middle of the state.” The same could be said of Punta Gorda’s transformation. Charlotte County may now have the second oldest demographic in the country, but with the current wave of new movers, that is about to change. PUNTA GORDA: THE NEXT FLORIDA BOOMTOWN A waterfront lifestyle is the norm in Punta Gorda and surrounding Charlotte County, located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida. Photos courtesy of Charlotte County FL Economic Development60 JULY 2024 SITE SELECTION County. “I had always lived in a major city,” she says. “I lived in Philadelphia for the fi rst years of my life and then Atlanta for the next . I got tired of all the hustle and bustle and crime. I heard a commercial about a program that pays you to move. I applied and got approved in two days.” She hasn’t looked back since. “When I visited Lincoln, everyone was welcoming,” she says. “I immediately met someone who invited me to attend a yoga class with other ladies. Everyone was friendly. From that point on, I knew I had found my new home.” An accountant who had worked for a property management company for years, Gomez says her employer became a % remote working fi rm during the pandemic. “After two years, they wanted us to come back to the offi ce. I knew I could not do that,” she says. “I quit my job and then found another job that was fully remote.” Gomez says she received a $, stipend for moving expenses, along with a one-year gym membership, $ toward high-speed internet service, and the gift of a free dozen eggs per week for her fi rst year in Lincoln. “It has been a fantastic experience,” she notes. “It was an easy process once I went online and found a county for which I could apply. ey reached out to me and followed through every step of the way. ey were very resourceful.” Gomez is not alone. Since the onset of the pandemic in March , millions of Americans have moved. In the majority of cases, these workers and their families chose not to relocate to major cities. Rather, they selected small towns, rural counties and otherwise remote places to live. 2020: The Demographic Turning Point Hamilton Lombard, demographic researcher at the University of Virginia, quantifi ed this exodus of Americans from big cities to small towns. In a report he wrote for the UVA Demographic Research Group and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, he noted that “as remote work persists, rural America saw a continued migration surge in .” Here is his key fi nding: “Migration out of counties with more than million residents in remained nearly twice as high as before the pandemic, while migration into the country’s smallest metro areas and rural counties rose in from already near-record levels in . e Census Bureau’s population estimates show that instead of being an anomaly, increasingly appears to have been a demographic turning point for much of the country.” e fastest-growing small metros (under , people) due to migration since , according to UVA and Census data, were e Villages, Florida; Jeff erson, Georgia; Punta Gorda, Florida; Homosassa Springs, Florida; and Sandpoint, Idaho. e places that registered the highest change in migration rates were Panama City, Florida; Jeff erson, Georgia; Hinesville, Georgia; Clewiston, Florida; and e Villages. It’s not just people that are seeking small towns. Many corporate investors are too. SK Battery chose Jeff erson in northeast Georgia for a billion-dollar battery plant project. “Jeff erson has attracted close to , more people than it has lost from other parts of the country annually since , giving it an annual migration rate of just under % of its population,” says Lombard. “From a workforce perspective, the working-age population shrunk in most of the U.S. during the s, but with the change in migration trends in recent years, we are seeing the working-age population grow in more rural counties and tertiary metro areas.” Rural working-age population growth due to in-migration is especially strong in places that run along the Appalachian Mountain chain in the South, from northern Georgia through the Carolinas, eastern Tennessee and western Virginia. If you were to drive from Rome, Georgia, to Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia, you would drive through the heart of this fast-growing rural mecca. is migration wave is especially prominent among highly educated technical workers. “Tech talent is going everywhere now,” says Lombard. “It’s hard to know where all the tech workers are living today, but we can spot the growth areas moving forward. ey are places that off er a good balance of aff ordable housing and high quality of life. ey are the rural small towns that will grow the most.” Cases in point, he says, include northern Maine, northern Michigan and southern Appalachia. “Look at the growth of people moving into southern Appalachia,” he adds. “ ey have seen some of the highest rates of migration in recent years. My advice to corporate site selectors is this: We are getting to the point where there is no growth occurring in the workforce. at means one thing: Migration matters more now. Population changes matter. Pay attention to them.” 10 Fastest-Growing Small Metros in America with the Highest Migration Rate 1. The Villages, Florida6. Pahrump, Nevada 2. Jefferson, Georgia7. Granbury, Texas 3. Punta Gorda, Florida8. St. George, Utah 4. Homosassa Springs, Florida9. Prineville, Oregon 5. Sandpoint, Idaho10. Sebring-Avon Park, Florida Source: Hamilton Lombard, University of Virginia Demographic ResearcherSITE SELECTION Dallas CountyDallas County TEXAS TEXAS TEXAS TEXAS Harris County Harris County ILLINOIS Cook CountyCook County OHIO OHIO Franklin CountyFranklin County Fulton County Fulton County S ite Selection’s recognition of America’s Best Counties for economic development performance on one level is a measure of the capital investment they attracted in and through the fi rst quarter of this year. On another level, it’s an opportunity to credit counties and their personnel who work tirelessly to attract projects and to help grow investment already in place. ese rankings are based on total points awarded to counties based on number of projects between January and March , capital investment and jobs created according to project data resident in Site Selection’s Conway Projects Database. Counties with high project totals in most cases are parts of large metros — Phoenix, Houston, Columbus (Ohio), Atlanta and Dallas, for example, are the main population centers and workforce suppliers of their respective counties, making the top fi ve according to points awarded. by MARK AREND mark.arend@siteselection.com More than supporting characters, counties play critical roles in regional prosperity. COVER STORY Photos: Getty ImagesNext >