In 2016, business and government leaders in Nevada County had an "ah-ha" moment: A report, commissioned in part by the Nevada County Economic Resource Council showed stakeholders that the county's local workforce needed easy access to tech-based skills. These findings prompted local residents who work in the technology industry to create the Connected Communities Academy — a motivated task force of CEOs, engineering directors, human resource professionals and solopreneurs who work together to bring a one-stop-shop technology skills training center to life in rural Nevada County.

Written by Trish Moratto; read by Katie Tortorice