Tech Giant, Local Agencies Work to Bring Broadband to Rural Virginia

Southern Virginia's economy has been devastated by the loss of the tobacco and textile industries that sustained it through much of its history. Now with the help of a corporate giant, local innovators are trying to remake part of Southside in the image of the digital age.Microsoft first came to Southside Virginia when it picked a location in Mecklenberg County for a new data center in 2010. As that center has grown so has the company's interest in supporting digital infrastructure growth and education in Mecklenberg and surrounding counties. That's why the company made this one six regions nationwide to take part in TechSpark.“It's a civic program aimed at creating job growth and economic opportunity in rural localities,” says Jeremy Satterfield, TechSpark's Virginia Manager. The primary focus right now is technology training and addressing the region's critical lack of broadband access.   “We have a TEALS program. It's housed at Bluestone High School. They will be beginning their second year this year in the TEALS program,”  Satterfield added.