Economic opportunity and job creation in Washington’s Central Basin

Rapid advances in technology are creating new opportunities in a digital economy. But these opportunities remain out of reach for many in our community, who often lack the broadband access, digital skills, or other resources needed to succeed. That’s why Microsoft is building local, public-private partnerships to collectively address these issues and help ensure all people can benefit from the opportunities of the digital economy. Together, we can advance a future that is for everyone. 

Our approach and impact in the North Central Basin 

Microsoft TechSpark is a civic program to foster greater economic opportunity and job creation. In Washington, we focus our work primarily in Grant, Douglas, Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, and Adams counties, partnering closely at the local level to understand our rural community’s unique challenges and opportunities. While I’m pleased to share highlights of our collective impact to date, I know there is more to do, and that our customers, partners, and neighbors hold us to high standards. 

Promoting skills and employability  

Digital skills are highly sought after by employers today and will be critical in the future, yet many people lack access to high-quality digital skills education. This widens skills gaps and intensifies economic divides. TechSpark helps schools and nonprofits strengthen their ability to offer digital skills and computer science education through grants, technology, curriculum, and our TEALS computer science (“CS”) education program. For example:  

• In partnership with Code.org and local schools, we’ve held more than ten Hour of Code outreach events for students, parents, and community members, giving 1,000+ attendees their first experience learning about coding and digital citizenship. In addition, we’ve supported trainings to prepare more than 60 local K-12 teachers to offer CS education. 
• We partnered with the North Central Educational District Foundation and the Apple STEM Network to complete research to help us better understand how our schools are supporting students with STEM and computer science education, and what support educators and administrators need to help them do more. Regional partners have used this information to provide targeted support that expands access to STEM and computer science education to more students in rural communities.    
• We supported the “Game On!” program―in partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation and Central Washington University―to introduce underserved students across eight school districts to coding through world class soccer.   

As technology reshapes the future of work, companies must also change the way they hire and support employees to ensure qualified candidates get matched with the right opportunities and have clear pathways for career advancement. We’re collaborating across sectors to help create a skills-based labor market that connects people and employers in new ways. For example:  

• We’re working with the Washington State University Impact Center and Washington STEM on a research project that will help us understand the impact of technology advances on the agriculture industry. This will allow us to develop recommendations for how to reskill and upskill workers to ensure they will have access to opportunities in the new regional economy.  
• Together with the Apple STEM Network, we led a steering committee to articulate computer science courses in CS credential pathways for students in North Central Washington. These courses help high school students earn college credits in CS, giving them a head start toward earning a postsecondary credential that could open doors to better-paying jobs. The collaborative regional team who published the report were made up of representatives from area high schools, Big Bend Community College, Wenatchee Valley College, and Central Washington University.  

Increasing access to broadband 

According to FCC data, nearly 25 million Americans still lack access to high-speed broadband, 19 million of which live in rural communities. In Washington state, Microsoft data indicates as many as 2.5 million people―many of them in the North Central Basin―do not use the internet at broadband speeds, hindering their ability to start or run a modern business, access telemedicine, take an online class, or research a school project online. Through our Airband initiative and partnerships with local service providers, we are connecting more communities to broadband and the educational and economic opportunities it provides. For example:  

• In partnership with Declaration Networks Group, affordable broadband access will be expanded to more than 40,000 people in Ferry and Stevens Counties. 

Helping local organizations thrive through digital transformation 

Advances in technology like cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) can bring transformative growth to nonprofits, startups and established companies, but they can also threaten those that don’t have the resources or know-how to adopt and integrate these technologies. We’re helping organizations leverage the power of technology to streamline operations, develop new lines of business, transform service delivery, and drive economic growth in our communities. For example:  

• We supported the Greater Wenatchee Area Tech Alliance Flywheel Conference to encourage and educate startups about how technologies like cloud computing can help launch their start-up into the future.    

Join us: help advance a future that is for everyone 

Tackling these issues is complex and demands collective local effort. We’re creating cross-sector partnerships to help spark economic investment, job creation, and opportunity, and we’re just getting started. Learn how you can join us at microsoft.com/TechSpark or by emailing techspark@microsoft.com.

.