The state would like this system, which became fully operational in January 2008, to earn some $59 million over a six year state commitment, as well as cover the initial investment by renting out cycles, grants and other sources. It is projected to only make $2 million in the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

Reaching the larger goal "is going to be a challenge," said Tom Bowles, the science advisor to Governor and chair of the board of directors of NMCAC.

Part of the problem has been political. It wasn't until this week that the center received all the legal approvals to operate as an independent entity to get the freedom it needed to enter into contracts. But it recently announced a deal with a state-based firm, Cerelink Digital Media Group, for digital media work and is expected to create 160 jobs in three years.

Bowles said other projects are in the pipeline, including grants and federal stimulus funds tied to smart grid development. He believes the state's real competitive advantage is its access to the national labs for development help. "If it was just a computer, we wouldn't be any different from any other system in the country," he said.

New Mexico is part of small movement of states to attempt to democratize high performance computing capabilities, and improve the ability of smaller companies to use faster design and testing processes that rely on low wages to manufacture goods.