Microsoft officials say they plan to open one of their first training centers in the United States on the city-owned east campus of the former St. Elizabeths hospital, in one of the poorest areas of Southeast D.C.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) has made redeveloping the east campus of St. Elizabeths one of his top economic development priorities and has repeatedly said he would like to see Microsoft play a role in it.
Officials for the software giant said last week that they were committed to doing that by way of opening one of its Microsoft Innovation Centers, facilities in emerging economic areas where the company provides software training for students and entrepreneurs.
To date, Microsoft has nearly 100 innovation centers worldwide, with concentrations in Eastern Europe, India and Brazil. There are none in the United States, though one isopening shortly in downtown Miami at a tech incubator and accelerator called Venture Hive. A second center may open in Houston.
Read more about Microsoft and the plans that they have outlined here.
