Insider Brief
- New York’s 2026 State of the State places quantum technology at the center of its economic strategy, pairing new commercialization hubs with semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investments to move quantum research toward market use.
- The plan proposes expanding the state’s quantum hub model beyond SUNY Stony Brook while launching a downstate semiconductor chip design center to strengthen early-stage chip development and support quantum hardware needs.
- Manufacturing modernization programs and shared infrastructure are positioned to reduce costs and risk for startups, linking quantum, chip design and production capacity within a single statewide innovation pipeline.
New York is placing quantum technology at the center of its industrial strategy, using public investment to lower barriers to commercialization and tie quantum research more tightly to semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State proposals frame quantum as an economic infrastructure challenge rather than a purely scientific one, according to the governor’s official release. The plan expands the state’s existing Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at SUNY Stony Brook into a network of up to four regional quantum technology commercialization hubs. According to the administration, the goal is to move quantum systems out of isolated laboratories and into shared facilities where startups and established firms can test, refine and deploy hardware and software.
“New York is proving that its future is brighter than ever, and thanks to the resilience of our people and our smart, targeted community investments, New York isn’t just recovering, it’s rising,” Hochul said. “Whether it’s good-paying jobs, bolstering technological innovation, eliminating restrictions on businesses, or providing localities with funding to grow, I have been laser focused on expanding opportunities for New Yorkers across the state. I am not going to stop, because your future is my fight.”
Quantum systems remain expensive and scarce, limiting who can experiment with them. The proposed hubs are designed to address that bottleneck by offering access to quantum computers, sensing equipment and secure networking infrastructure, along with business support aimed at turning research into products. State officials say this model prioritizes near-term uses such as optimization, sensing and secure communications, areas where early commercial demand is already emerging.
Quantum and The Chip Pipeline
Quantum ambitions in New York are closely linked to semiconductors, which supply the control electronics, materials and fabrication processes required to build quantum devices. Hochul’s plan to launch a downstate Semiconductor Chip Design Center is intended to complement the state’s large-scale manufacturing base upstate, including the NY CREATES Albany Nanotech Complex and the Micron-led project in Central New York.
The proposed design center would focus on early-stage chip development, giving startups and small firms access to advanced design tools and training that are often out of reach. State officials describe it as an incubator for new chip architectures rather than a factory, filling a gap between university research and large commercial fabs. The pipeline matters for quantum companies because many quantum processors and sensors rely on specialized chips that are not yet standardized or mass-produced.
By pairing chip design capacity with quantum hubs, New York is signaling that it sees quantum as part of a broader semiconductor ecosystem, not a standalone field. That approach aligns with industry trends, where progress in quantum hardware increasingly depends on advances in materials science, lithography and packaging.
Manufacturing as a Bridge
The state’s Manufacturing Modernization Program is positioned as another support layer for deep-tech deployment. The program targets small and mid-size manufacturers, offering technical assistance, capital grants and help adopting tools such as artificial intelligence. While not explicitly quantum-focused, these upgrades are relevant to firms that may eventually supply components or services to quantum and chip companies.
Manufacturing accounts for more than $100 billion of New York’s gross domestic product, according to the release and employs more than 410,000 people. Officials argue that modernizing this base is essential if emerging technologies are to scale locally rather than migrate elsewhere.
