fbpx

Hartland, VT – The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) has been selected by Microsoft as a new Fellow as part of its TechSpark program to accelerate its work supporting rural communities efforts in building their tech economies. As part of this initiative, Mike Gutman, CORI’s Workforce Development Manager, will serve as a TechSpark Community Engagement Fellow, supported by a Microsoft grant. Through this fellowship, Gutman will work closely with Rural Innovation Network communities to implement programs that expand workers’ access to and familiarity with cutting-edge technologies.

Through the TechSpark fellowship, CORI will be able to bring new tools and resources, such as Copilot, free LinkedIn Learning courses, AI Skills Navigator, and on-demand training, to Rural Innovation Network community members looking to grow their tech skills. To date, more than 45 individuals in Rural Innovation Network communities have leveraged these upskilling resources, reflecting CORI’s ongoing commitment to fostering workforce development and economic growth in rural areas. This new collaboration with Microsoft aims to significantly expand those opportunities, empowering more learners to thrive in the digital economy.

“Being part of the Microsoft TechSpark Fellowship is an incredible opportunity to bring transformative tools and resources to rural communities,” said Mike Gutman, Workforce Development Manager at the Center on Rural Innovation. “This fellowship allows us to equip workers with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, empowering them to drive innovation and growth in their local economies.”

“Microsoft’s TechSpark program works closely with local community organizations to develop digital skills, support nonprofits and create jobs,” said Mike Egan, Senior Director, Microsoft TechSpark. “By working together with The Center on Rural Innovation, we can help them deliver resources, education and digital skills for students that create greater economic opportunity.”

Microsoft recently announced the second cohort of the TechSpark Community Engagement Fellowship, which support nonprofit organizations across the country working to expand economic opportunities in their communities. 

Last year’s cohort of TechSpark Fellows secured over $177 million in funding support, reached 48,000 community members, and engaged 548 partners to help build economic opportunities in 42 communities across the nation. Read more about Microsoft TechSpark here. 

 

About the Center on Rural Innovation
The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a national nonprofit committed to advancing economic prosperity in rural America through the creation of inclusive tech economy ecosystems that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation. Established in 2017, CORI is at the heart of a dynamic social enterprise focused on closing the rural opportunity gap. The organization partners with a taxable nonprofit, Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. (RISI), and a seed fund, the CORI Innovation Fund, focused on early-stage technology companies located in rural areas. For more information, visit www.ruralinnovation.us.