Microsoft Partners With D.C. For 'Digital Alliance'

Microsoft has a struck a deal with the District to help train residents and students for jobs in technology. The city is calling it a Digital Alliance; Microsoft says it will help train out-of-work residents, provide teaching and technological resources to schools, and award $100,000-worth of support and training to 10 local businesses.

While specific details of the deal were not available, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray says the will help generations of District residents sharpen their technological skills.

"I look at it as an an evolving, growing relationship that will have some benefits for us over the next 6-12 months, but I think even more so over the next 6-12 years," says Gray.

Microsoft and D.C. have also been talking about opening up an Innovation Center on the old St. Elizabeth's Hospital Campus, but both sides say
the Digital Alliance announcement has no bearing on those negotiations.