When the Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) was preparing for its second Business Certification Program, they knew technology access was a real barrier for many of the entrepreneurs coming through the cohort. That conversation led them to Shift2.

The partnership came together quickly. Shift2 supplied refurbished laptops to program participants, removing one more obstacle for people working to build something in Rochester.

For Megan Alchowiak, Shift2’s Executive Director, the collaboration was a natural fit. “This role appealed to me as it helps provide access to technology to those who may otherwise lack that access, and it elevates the community through collaboration with schools, support organizations and other not-for-profits.”

Most of the devices Shift2 refurbishes come from large businesses and corporations that cycle out equipment at the end of its support lifecycle, often as part of their own corporate responsibility goals. Getting those machines in bulk from a single source makes the refurbishment process more efficient and means Shift2 can deliver larger quantities of consistent, well-equipped devices to the organizations they serve.

For REDCO’s Business Certification Program participants, that meant showing up ready to work.

This is what community partnerships are supposed to look like: organizations connecting the right resources to the right people, and making sure technology access isn’t what stands between someone and their next chapter.