Overview
- Phoenix unveiled a city-backed push to make the Valley a quantum computing hub during the mayor’s State of the City speech, appointing former NSF director and ASU professor Sethuraman Panchanathan to recruit investors.
- City leaders say the plan builds on large semiconductor projects from Intel and TSMC to draw quantum firms and research activity to Phoenix.
- Quantum computing uses the physics of particles to tackle problems beyond today’s computers, with potential in drug discovery, new materials, navigation and utility management, according to industry and city officials.
- City staff have recommended a trash-collection rate increase to close a $20 million shortfall in the solid-waste division.
- Mayor Kate Gallego also proposed setting aside city funds to help families apply for SNAP after nearly 500,000 Arizonans lost access to food assistance over the past year.