Innovation Grows in Modesto

City IT Innovation Excellence

Did you know that Modesto is ranked #3 in the nation for cities 125,000-250,000 for Digital City innovation by Government Technology Magazine? Just a few reasons why:

• The city hosts public meetings in a hybrid format, with recorded livestreaming. AI translation technology makes meetings available in 26 languages, best in the U.S.

• Strong IT security, demonstrated in a ransomware attack in February on the Police Department. All systems remained operable and critical data was quickly restored; no payment was made to the attacker.

• A data gathering and analysis application for the Community Health and Assistance Team (CHAT) that engages and builds relationships with the homeless population to provide support and connect them with social services, shelters and housing programs.

Modesto Digital NEST Center Progress

Digital NEST opened in September 2023 at 1012 11th Street to help underserved youth 14- 24, especially Hispanic, access STEM career opportunities. The City of Modesto contributed $150,000 grant funding to help launch the center.

• Digital NEST is growing quickly, now serving 83 members between the ages of 14-24 since its soft launch in July of 2023.

• Of those 83 members, 85% are Latinx youth from underserved communities in Modesto and surrounding areas.

• Five new local Web Development interns joined Digital NEST's BizzNEST Program in December 2023.

• Digital NEST Modesto has launched 6 programs/events since the soft launch in July of 2023 including Raspberry Pi and intro to Python, 2 seasons of Quest Club Career Explorations (6 weekly sessions on Values, Taking Initiative, Emotional Intelligence, Community Building, and Organization Skills), a Fireside Chat with a local PhD on the pathway to a career in Data Science, a Member Fall Retreat at the San Francisco California Academy of Sciences, and a March 2024 tour of Datapath's Modesto Headquarters.

New Modesto Junior College Innovation Center

MJC has a brand-new maker space, a collaborative area where people can create, invent, build, and test using traditional craft making methods and new technology. Capabilities include 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl printing, circuit building, and sewing. The space has supplies and tools for art and textile projects, comic creation, and prototyping, and serves as a classroom. The Center is in 214 Yosemite Hall, open Monday through Thursday 10:30-2:30. https://mjc.edu/schools/sm/innovationcenter/