Palm Beach State College Awarded Nearly $5 Million to Launch Florida’s First Quantum Workforce Training Center
Palm Beach State College has been awarded $4.95 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to develop Florida’s first public-access Quantum Workforce Training Center, positioning Palm Beach County at the forefront of the state’s emerging quantum economy.
The funding, announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis, will support the creation of a structured Quantum Systems Certification Program focused on computing and emerging quantum technologies. The program is designed to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline in national defense, cybersecurity, financial services and secure communications.
Building Florida’s Quantum Workforce
Palm Beach State College President Ava L. Parker said the investment marks a transformative step for the college and the region.
“On behalf of our entire Palm Beach State community, we are honored to be selected as a partner with the State of Florida to build the quantum ecosystem and create a one-of-a-kind program that makes this emerging technology accessible to our students and local Palm Beach County community,” Parker said in a statement.
The nearly $5 million award is the largest of three statewide workforce investments announced under the grant program. College officials say the initiative builds on plans unveiled in October 2025 to establish a Quantum Innovation Center inside the institution’s nearly 100-year-old Historic Building in downtown West Palm Beach, which is undergoing modernization to support advanced computing labs, startup incubation and industry collaboration.
As the largest workforce educator in Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State is positioning itself as a leader in applied quantum education, focused not only on theory but on practical workforce readiness. The certification program is expected to prepare students and working professionals for careers in quantum-era cybersecurity, cryptography, secure communications and advanced computing infrastructure.
Research Momentum Gains Strength at FAU
The development comes as Palm Beach County gains additional momentum in quantum research.
D-Wave, a global quantum computing company, recently announced plans to expand its presence at Florida Atlantic University, adding research capacity and strengthening the region’s role in quantum innovation.
Together, the workforce training center at Palm Beach State and D-Wave’s research footprint at Florida Atlantic University create a complementary ecosystem, pairing education and talent development with advanced research and commercial applications.
Economic development leaders say that combination is critical.
Founder and CEO of Quantum Technologies, Matt Cimaglia, has played a key role in convening industry leaders, educators and policymakers to accelerate the region’s quantum strategy. Cimaglia has helped bring stakeholders together to support development of the Quantum Innovation Center and broader workforce initiatives aimed at positioning South Florida as a competitive quantum hub.
In a recent social media post following a roundtable at Palm Beach State College, Cimaglia wrote, “Florida’s quantum momentum continues to build. Today’s roundtable at Palm Beach State College advanced the PBSC Quantum Innovation Center from vision to execution, underscoring that the next era of computing will be shaped not only by breakthrough systems, but by the communities and a prepared workforce ready to use them.”
Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, said pairing workforce training with innovation infrastructure ensures companies can both start and scale locally.
A Shift in Palm Beach County’s Innovation Identity
For decades, Palm Beach County has often been viewed as a quieter, finance- and lifestyle-driven community compared with the technology hubs of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. But state and local leaders say quantum computing represents the next phase of growth for the region, particularly as aerospace, defense, cybersecurity and financial services sectors expand.
The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund has contributed more than $305 million statewide since 2019 to support workforce and infrastructure projects. With nearly $5 million directed to Palm Beach State’s quantum initiative, officials say the county is emerging as a forward-thinking driver of advanced technology in South Florida.
As quantum computing moves from theoretical research into practical application, Palm Beach County is positioning itself not just as a participant, but as a leader shaping Florida’s next generation of innovation.
