As the race to lead the nation in quantum technology heats up, lawmakers and others are vying to make Massachusetts a front-runner. State leaders are committing millions of dollars for a new quantum center and lawmakers are also considering new legislation to create a public quantum center and investment fund. On Thursday, Gov. Maura Healey joined MIT leaders to announce a commitment of up to $25 million in state matching funds to help establish the Quantum Systems Laboratory, or QSL, at the university. The lab, which is expected to get under construction this summer, is set to become the home of the MIT Quantum Initiative. QSL is meant to be a shared-use facility and expected to be the first in the world to bring quantum computers together with quantum sensors and peripherals through physical channels that transfer information, according to MIT. “This facility will serve those at the edges of our wildest imaginations in physics and quantum computing, yes,” said MIT President Sally Kornbluth. “But it will also equip the talent in our region — and ultimately, our nation — to push our knowledge to new limits, and new innovations.” The project is expected to create 164 construction jobs along with up 100 jobs in supply chain and professional services, according to Healey’s office. QSL is expected to create 220 permanent jobs once it’s open. State funding for the project comes from the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, according to Healey’s office. The fund is supported by interest earned on the state Stabilization Fund, with expenses permitted to pursue federal funding and pay off debt. Massachusetts’ contribution matches a portion of federal funding for quantum research that’s already underway at MIT, the governor’s office said. “This is a major economic development opportunity for Massachusetts that will strengthen our