Microsoft Could Help DC Develop St Elizabeth’s Tech Center

Microsoft is a preferred candidate of the D.C. local government to open a technology innovation center on the east campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital, the Washington Post reports.

According to writer Jonathan O’Connell, Mayor Vincent Gray’s economic development team wants Microsoft, French lighting firm Citelum and Atlanta-based architectural modeling company SmartBIM to help jump-start development of the 170-acre campus into a center of innovation.

Citing comment from city officials, O’Connell reports the software giant proposed building a Microsoft Innovation Center that is open to students, software developers, entrepreneurs and researchers.

The company operates 20 such centers worldwide but none in the U.S.

According to Microsoft, goals of the centers include fostering industry partnerships, skills and workforce development.

Mayor Gray wants St. Elizabeths, set to become the future home of the Department of Homeland Security, to be a central hub for economic activity, the Post reports.