“I think it actually puts the region on the map and grows what’s possible in the state of California when it comes to innovation and the future of AI,” Stewart said.
Micah Runner, Rancho Cordova city manager, noted that the city is not starting from scratch. Rancho Cordova already houses roughly 10 to 15 data centers, reliable power capacity, and significant fiber infrastructure — assets that make it well-positioned for AI research, data movement, and advanced technology development.
Runner said these existing strengths give the city a foundation to build from, rather than forcing it to chase the industry from behind. He pointed to the city’s infrastructure, business base, and growing technology presence as reasons Rancho Cordova can lean into AI workforce development from a place of strength.
Solidigm, one of the city’s quieter technology anchors, also is stepping more visibly into the regional conversation. The company hosted the MOU signing and represents a critical piece of the physical infrastructure behind the AI boom. While much of the public conversation around AI focuses on software and automation, companies like Solidigm power the data storage and hardware that make these systems possible.
Greg Matson, Solidigm senior vice president and head of products and marketing, emphasized the company’s commitment to investing back into the community as the region builds toward this next chapter.
Sacramento State President Dr. Luke Wood pointed to the strong network of university alumni involved in the effort, including Sadie St. Lawrence, Micah Runner, and Art Pimentel.
“We love working with alums because they care about the campus in a different way,” Wood said. “They care about the ecosystem that we’re trying to create for students.”
This connection gives the partnership a local texture. It is more than a coalition of institutions signing onto a technology initiative; it is a network of Sacramento-trained leaders building a legacy for the next generation.
The promise of the K-Career model depends on what comes next: classroom exposure, college alignment, hands-on training, and direct connections to employers. The signing created the framework. The real test will be whether students across the region can see a clear path from curiosity to training, and from training to meaningful work.
For Rancho Cordova, the moment was both symbolic and strategic. The city has the infrastructure, the companies are at the table, and the educators are engaged. Now, the work begins to ensure local students are not just watching the AI economy from a distance, but are actively invited into it.