Project Bulletin: August 5, 2024

PsiQuantum will receive a 30-year, $500 million incentive package from the State of Illinois and Cook County to support the project.

Rendering courtesy of Lamar Johnson Collaborative

California-based quantum computing startup PsiQuantum has arrived at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park located on Chicago’s South Side. The company will move forward with the construction of a 300,000-sq.-ft. Quantum Computer Operations Center at the former U.S. Steel South Works site, creating 150 new jobs in the next five years. In partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University and other Chicago Quantum Exchange members, this space will be used to develop new educational programs and pursue various research projects. “Considering the endless potential quantum computing technology holds, it is crucial that we commit to quantum partnerships, research and infrastructure across our nation,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “In Illinois, we’re leading the charge with this first-of-its-kind quantum park to unite stakeholders, experts, and future generations of quantum leaders. I’m grateful that PsiQuantum will be our anchor tenant as we launch this exciting collaboration to create the jobs of the future, and PsiQuantum choosing Chicago cements our status as a global hub for quantum computing.”

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For more than 20 years Plexus has run five manufacturing sites and one design center in the state of Penang, Malaysia.

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In late July, Plexus broke ground on its sixth manufacturing facility in Malaysia’s state of Penang. The electronics manufacturer has selected the Bandar Cassia Technology Park as the location for its $225 million project, dubbed Plexus Bridgeview. The 560,000-sq.-ft. facility will allow Plexus to expand its Semiconductor Capital Equipment unit, in line with Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and National Semiconductor Strategy initiatives. Plexus said that Plexus Bridgeview will also help the company support health care and life science companies. The new site is expected to create 1,800 new jobs, adding to Plexus’ workforce of over 10,000 in the country.

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Aura Aero continues its partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with development of its ERA.

Photo courtesy of Aura Aero

Aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero, based at Toulouse-Francazal airport in France, is bringing its first U.S. plant investment to the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University research park. The $172.5 million investment goes toward the construction of a 500,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility for the production, assembly, testing and delivery of the company’s Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA). By the end of 2024, Aura Aero will begin hosting electric aircraft development activities to boost the local workforce. “We are proud to unveil Aura Aero’s expansion in the USA with the development of our industrial footprint in Florida. Supported by the State of Florida, Space Florida and our partner Embry-Riddle, we have the perfect ecosystem to bring a new generation of aircraft to our American customers,” said Aura Aero President and Co-Founder Jérémy Caussade in the announcement at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK. The project is slated for completion in 2028. Florida was said to be selected over Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Ohio, according to a release from Florida’s Office of the Governor.

Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore, edited by Adam Bruns