Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the launch of California’s first solar-covered canal, a pilot project that seeks to generate clean electricity, keep water from evaporating before it ever reaches a farm or a faucet, and, if scaled further, help strengthen the state’s water infrastructure to withstand a hotter, drier future.
On April 29, Gov. JB Pritzker and IBM announced the company’s new FutureNow Chicago delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). As part of FutureNow Chicago, IBM will create 750 new full-time jobs in AI, cybersecurity, data science, quantum, and more, and will serve as an innovation and delivery hub.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun recently announced the launch of IN AI, a statewide initiative to assist businesseswith the practical application of human-centered artificial intelligence. The initiative will be directed by the CEOs for Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), which will work directly with employers, specifically main street businesses, across the state to accelerate AI adoption in strengthening businesses and operations, while expanding opportunity for Hoosiers.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a measure that would have placed a moratorium on the construction of new data centers with a load of more than 20 megawatts of power until November 2027; instead, issuing an executive order to establish the Maine Data Center Advisory Council. The Council will make recommendations on large-scale data center development in Maine to protect ratepayers, maintain electric grid reliability, minimize environmental impacts, and enable responsible economic development.