With a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, Microsoft has reached out to Southside Virginia. Anthony Putorek, Senior Lead Workforce Development Program Manager for Microsoft, said simply, “We are investing in people and developing communities.”

The company recently donated another $45,000 toward student success and has invested in the community by providing 14 scholarships to students in the past.

The students take classes through Southside Virginia Community College’s Center for Information Technology Excellence (CITE) at the Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center in South Hill and the IT Academy (ITA) of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston.

Dr. Al Roberts said, “Microsoft has been a true partner in our community and has provided valuable support for this IT program offering. We appreciate their investment in the future of Southside Virginia.”

Microsoft announced their investment in bringing a data center to Mecklenburg County’s Boydton Industrial Park in 2010. Since that time, the company is investing in training Southside people for jobs where IT skills are needed.

The CITE and ITA labs are an example of how a partnership can make things happen for a community. Microsoft and their involvement impacts Southside Virginia and those seeking a future with a career in IT.