Governor Bob Ferguson is directing $500,000 in state funds to support a major quantum computing expansion in Bothell, a move expected to generate between 1,200 and 2,000 jobs over the next five years and rank among the largest job creation events in the history of Washington’s key economic development programme.
The funding, drawn from the governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund, will support IonQ’s expansion of its quantum computing manufacturing facility in Bothell. Approximately 100 engineering positions are expected to be created within the next 18 months alone, with an average projected salary of $177,000. The state investment will be channelled through the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County and used for building upgrades, workforce costs, and other expenses tied to the expansion. It is paired with more than $14 million in private investment.
IonQ opened the nation’s first dedicated quantum computing manufacturing facility in Bothell in 2024. The site has since grown into a 100,000-square-foot hub encompassing production, research, and development operations, as well as a second quantum data centre. The company’s technology uses individual atoms to process information, enabling computational power that significantly exceeds traditional computers for certain complex problems.
Ferguson said the investment reinforces Washington’s standing in emerging technology and positions the state for sustained long-term economic growth. State commerce officials described the expansion as a signal of confidence in Washington’s capacity to attract innovation at scale. IonQ leadership said the state funding will serve as a catalyst to accelerate production and hiring as the company scales its advanced quantum systems.
The Economic Development Strategic Reserve Fund is designed to attract and retain businesses in Washington by backing projects with significant job creation and private investment potential. The fund is primarily financed through unclaimed lottery prize money and is deployed in partnership with local economic development organisations for strategic opportunities across the state.
