Salinas city officials have long hoped to transform the Salinas Valley into an ag tech hub, but to make it happen, future generations need more access to technology and education in that field.
To assist with that goal, Digitial NEST, a Watsonville-based nonprofit, offers high-tech and professional skills training including coding, graphic design and videography for youth. The nonprofit helps place them in paying jobs and internships at local companies, wants to open in Salinas—and it’s close to securing the $200,000 it needs to make it happen.
The city of Salinas has budgeted $50,000 to help in the venture, and two anonymous local donors have each pledged $100,000.
Founder Jacob Martinez predicts Digital NEST could open early in 2017. Before finalizing plans, Martinez wants to make sure the local community would welcome such a project. “I am not from Salinas,” he says. “I’m going to be the last person to tell the city and its community what it needs.”
To figure that out, Martinez plans to hire a local site director. The individual selected for the position would be trained in Watsonville and would then determine how Salinas can best benefit from the model.
Martinez continues to scour East Salinas for possible venues, exploring shopping centers as one option. The city has offered the Breadbox Recreation Center, where two nonprofits are currently housed, as another option.
If Digital NEST proves successful in Salinas, it could be a stepping stone toward franchising the nonprofit. Seaside has already shown interest, Martinez says.
(2) comments
Also, aside from what Pete brings up...why are we being archaic and dragging laptops into the field? Embrace technology, embrace mobility, and go iPad or Surface. Surface is about the closes you will get to a desktop experience while mobile and before I hear "boo hoo there's no apps!" or "its not in the app store!"- go spend money and develop one. Invest in this, because it is absolutely the future.
Nice photo... but in reality... what are their download and upload speeds....?
In rural areas, usually they suck...It's the biggest Ag Tech issue no one talks about. It's the urban/rural divide. High speed access in rural areas is sadly lacking. So how do you expect sophisticated Ag Tech to work when it can't communicate?
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