1. Connect Ohio Holds Grand Opening For
Second Jobs Skills & Placement Center
in Gallipolis
Media Contact: Brad Ingles FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
bingles@connectohio.org January 21, 2015
614-220-0190
Digital Works is a sustainable job creation program
bringing technology-based jobs to local communities
GALLIPOLIS – Connect Ohio is opening a second Digital Works location in Gallipolis, located
at 859 Third Avenue. Digital Works is a technology skills training program aimed at providing a
link between twenty-first century workforce opportunities and community revitalization. The
program provides mentoring and training to workers seeking employment.
“The Digital Works program offers a great opportunity for Gallia County citizens to take
advantage of the ever-growing Internet based employment opportunities,” said State Rep. Ryan
Smith (R-93rd District). “This training is very forward thinking in attempting to accommodate the
demand in the quickly evolving technology marketplace. This program is a direct result of the
creativity of our local team at Department of Jobs and Family Services and Melissa Clark in the
county’s Economic Development Department and its ability to think outside the box to find ways
to put people to work.”
The grand opening will be held at the new Digital Works center on Wednesday January 21st
.
The presentation will begin at 1pm, followed by tours of the facility and refreshments. Digital
Works facilitators and students will be on site to answer any questions about the Digital Works
program.
Speakers at the event will include Stu Johnson (Executive Director of Connect Ohio), Harold
Montgomery (Gallia County Commissioner), Adam Grzybicki (President, AT&T Ohio), and
Representative Ryan Smith (District 93).
The event will also include a special announcement from Adam Grzybicki on the partnership
between AT&T and Connect Ohio regarding twenty scholarships for students to pursue a
Udacity Nanodegree. Nanodegrees are a new category of online education that connects
people wherever they are with affordable, effective training focused on high-demand technology
skills.
Each scholarship has an approximate value of $2,000, and enables students to complete one
Nanodegree of their choice. The Nanodegree program is part of AT&T Aspire, AT&T’s
signature education initiative to prepare students for success in school and the 21st
century
workforce.

2. “AT&T is thrilled to announce this partnership with Connect Ohio today at the Digital Works
grand opening in Gallipolis,” said Adam Grzybicki, AT&T Ohio President. “I can’t think of a
better place in the Buckeye State to target for this program as many local residents are anxious
to develop the skills needed in the digital economy. I especially want to thank State Rep. Ryan
Smith for all of his work in Columbus to support legislation to further incent broadband
investment so constituents in his district can obtain the training and eventually careers in the
21st
century workforce.”
Connect Ohio’s Digital Works program trains and mentors candidates while locating co-working
centers in rural America settings where job demand is high, few employers exist, and the cost of
living is the lowest. Upon successful completion of training, trainees are matched with
opportunities that meet their skills and interests. Participants can choose to do additional
training and mentoring for more advanced career paths including web content writing, computer
programming, or dedicated service lines. Structuring partnerships in the local communities is the
backbone of the Digital Works program and is providing the success to get people employed.
“The Digital Works locations in Ohio have seen remarkable success and we are thrilled to be
opening a second location in Gallipolis to connect even more people to jobs,” said Stu Johnson,
executive director of Connect Ohio. “Proving the success through our job numbers is a strong
indicator for the program; however, the greatest impact that Digital Works is having is on the
participants’ lives after helping them to secure employment. We are very thankful to AT&T for
providing the Udacity scholarships as well as donating broadband services to the center, along
with the entire Gallipolis community, Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services and
the tireless efforts of Representative Ryan Smith.”
“Our goal is to serve the underemployed and unemployed residents by offering proper training
and support skills for clients to work out of home or at a business,” said Beth Moore, supervisor
at Gallia County Department of JFS. “This program can give someone the skills needed in 4-6
weeks to start earning a check. Gallia has a need for employment opportunities, and with
Representative Smith and Connect Ohio on board, we are hoping for employment. The success
so far in other areas has been positive and we expect the same.”
Digital works is currently taking applicants for the program and they can register at
http://www.connectednation.org/applicant-intake-form.
To join the Digital Works training program and start your new career:
Digital Works Gallipolis orientation sessions are held at the Digital Works Center inside Gallia
County Department of Job and Family Services located at 848 Third Avenue in Gallipolis. All
interested participants can register completing the online application through:
http://www.digitalworksjobs.com/
# # #
About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a leading technology
organization committed to bringing affordable high-speed Internet and broadband-enabled
resources to all Ohioans. Connect Ohio effectively raises the awareness of the value of
broadband and works to improve technology access, adoption, and use through its programs.
Connect Ohio is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership. For more information
about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit
http://www.connectohio.org. Follow Connect Ohio on Facebook and Twitter.