At the Hive in Tempe, Sophie has been a familiar face, often working quietly at a computer or exploring the podcasting station. Then one Friday this past spring, she arrived dressed more formally than usual. As she left, she shared exciting news: she had just been offered a nursing job following an interview nearby.
She later told Hive staff that visiting the space brought happiness and balance to her life while she was navigating a difficult season — one shaped by the early loss of her two brothers and a desire to enter the healthcare field. Now, she’s on that path.
Sophie’s story is one among thousands — and now, the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA) is hitting milestones that show just how far this work has reached. This summer, IDIA is celebrating three big accomplishments: the opening of its 10th Hive in Sierra Vista, a record 100,000 Arizonans served across its statewide network, and more than $8 million in economic impact generated through job access, skill-building, and digital support.
“This is about real lives and real stories: people gaining skills, confidence, and opportunities for a better future,” says Dr. Erin Carr-Jordan, President and CEO of IDIA. “We hear about a new breakthrough every day — parents landing jobs, seniors accessing telehealth for the first time, students submitting college applications. It’s inspiring work, and the demand for it keeps growing.”
From Guadalupe to Sierra Vista: A Model That Meets People Where They Are
IDIA’s Hives serve people of all ages. Families, jobseekers, seniors, teens, and kids have always been part of the model. Youth participate in regular workshops, creative skill-building camps, digital safety sessions, and more.
In Sierra Vista, IDIA’s newest Hive opened its doors on August 16th. Located in the foothills of the Huachuca Mountains in southern Arizona, it will serve a population of 44,000 with high-speed internet, access to iPad and other advanced digital tools, and personalized support from Digital Navigators, who serve as guides and mentors.
But the Sierra Vista Hive is more than just a space — it’s the anchor in a growing rural innovation network.
Located within the brand-new Community Innovation Center, the Sierra Vista Hive is housed in a space made possible by the visionary leadership of Mignonne Hollis, Executive Director of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation. As one of Arizona’s most dedicated champions for rural economic development, Hollis envisioned a space where innovation, inclusion, and opportunity could meet. Her efforts to create the Community Innovation Center laid the groundwork for IDIA’s presence in Sierra Vista, ensuring it would serve not only local residents, but also the broader region.
The Sierra Vista Hive now acts as the hub in a hub-and-spoke model that includes a Mobile Hive — funded in part by the James M. Cox Foundation— which will serve surrounding communities including Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, Tombstone, and Willcox. Together, this model strengthens digital access and opportunity across rural southern Arizona.
This 10th Hive is part of IDIA’s growing ecosystem of stationary and mobile Hives — welcoming community spaces that offer free internet, state-of-the-art tech tools, and hands-on digital skill-building. Today, Hives serve thousands of residents in Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Phoenix (Aeroterra and CTEC), Guadalupe, Superior, and underserved areas across the state.
Reaching 100,000 people — a full year ahead of schedule — is evidence of both the urgency and effectiveness of IDIA and the Hive model. And with additional projects launching this fall, services are on track to geographically reach areas where 93% of Arizona’s population resides, bringing more communities within reach of digital training and support.
These totals reflect the impact of IDIA’s full statewide network, and they also include support from Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Arizona Community Foundation, in addition to Maricopa County, through a federally funded effort to expand broadband infrastructure and digital skills in underserved areas. And while the numbers tell a compelling story, it’s the people behind them who reveal the true impact.
Investing in Youth — Every Step of the Way
One of the clearest signs of IDIA’s deep community roots is the consistency with which it serves young people. That work came into sharper focus this summer with the Mind & Motion Tech Exploration Camp, a two-week digital learning experience hosted across multiple Hives with support from Apple and a variety of local partners.
The camp welcomed 77 kids from across Arizona, giving them space to explore real-world issues — like heat, mental health, and nutrition — through technology. With support from IDIA’s Digital Navigators, students built public service announcements, created campaign assets, and presented their ideas at community showcases. Finalist teams advanced to present at the Apple Store in Scottsdale Fashion Square, where more than 100 caregivers, peers, and local leaders gathered to celebrate their work.
“Taking part in the summer camp was such a great experience,” said Donnie Hernandez, whose son participated. “He was engaged in an environment of inclusion, growth, and expression — and he found his people.”
Another parent shared, “They learned teamwork, increased their confidence, and saw that screens have more to offer than just video games.”
From Stats to Stories: The Lives Changed
Whether it’s a teenager designing a PSA or a grandmother launching a podcast, the Hive model is grounded in the same principle: people thrive when they have the tools, support, and space to learn.
Ema first visited the Hive at Aeroterra without a resume, a car, or strong English skills — but with years of valuable work experience. A Digital Navigator helped her create a polished resume, identify jobs within walking distance, and translate applications so she could apply with confidence. Just weeks later, she returned smiling: she’d been hired minutes from home.
Across the county at the CTEC Hive, Mitzi teamed up with Digital Navigator, Jazmin Rivera to overcome barriers in her own job search. Together they built her tech skills, refined applications, and practiced interviews. By year’s end, Mitzi had secured a job, moved into her own apartment, and connected to reliable internet for the first time.
Meanwhile, not far away, June Newman, a grandmother and lifelong learner, began attending workshops with minimal computer experience. Within a year, she had launched her own website, podcast, and online platform for women — gaining not just technical skills, but digital confidence and creative freedom.
And for one visitor, simply lacking a smartphone or computer nearly meant missing out on a job entirely. With help from Hive staff, he was able to complete the application — and got hired.
These stories illustrate a larger reality: In today’s economy, digital skills are no longer optional. More than 92% of U.S. jobs require them, yet one in three workers still lacks the ability to perform basic tasks online (National Skills Coalition). For Arizona, the challenge is compounded by geography. Roughly 25% of the state’s population lives in rural areas — nearly double the national average of 14% — where limited connectivity and affordability barriers make access to technology and training harder to find.
This gap shapes lives. It can mean the difference between someone being able to apply for a job, complete an online course, access telehealth services, pay bills online, and more. Without intervention, it can keep thousands of Arizonans from meaningful participation in work, education, and everyday life.
That’s why IDIA exists. Through its network of community Hives, IDIA brings high-speed internet, state-of-the-art tools, and one-on-one support together under one roof — so Arizonans can gain the skills and confidence to navigate an internet-centric world.
Scaling Arizona’s Future: From Skills to Careers
With Sierra Vista now open and major milestones reached, IDIA is continuing to look ahead. This work is far from the endpoint, with plans to continue expanding workforce pathways to help Arizonans move from basic digital skills into advanced credentials for high-demand, future-ready careers in IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI.
With 10 Hives in operation, a mobile model that works, and an approach rooted in community, IDIA is positioning Arizona as a blueprint for scalable digital inclusion nationwide.
“Behind every milestone is a person,” says Dr. Carr-Jordan. “A parent finding work, a senior accessing telehealth, a student exploring new possibilities. Combine that with our deep economic impact, and you see the big story — lives changing and communities growing stronger.”
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Explore photos below from the August 16th, 2025 opening of the Hive at Sierra Vista.
Ribbon cutting photo at the top of the article by Douglas Business Network. Hive photos below by Nick Orciuolo.
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