The municipality of Lorca is preparing to open a Cloud CenterA new public space designed to bring technology closer to the public and improve the digital skills of people of all ages. Located in the heart of historic center, on Corredera streetThis resource is destined to become a point of reference for those who need training, support or simply a first contact with current digital tools.
This project is part of the network of four Cloud Centers promoted by the Autonomous Community in the Region of Murcia, along with those in Murcia, Cartagena, and Molina de Segura. In the case of Lorca, the center will open its doors during first quarter of 2026 and will combine practical workshops, coworking areas and personalized attention to elderly people to help them with electronic procedures or with the handling of their devices.
A Cloud Center to reduce the digital divide in Lorca
Lorca will host one of the four regional Cloud Centers The main objective is to strengthen the digital skills of the population and reduce the digital divide that still affects many residents. According to the regional government, these spaces are designed as ongoing support points, not just as occasional training sessions.
The Lorca Cloud Center will be located in a municipal premises provided by the City Council on the busy Corredera streeta well-known pedestrian area in the municipality. The Autonomous Community is undertaking the improvement and equipping works through the Integra Digital Foundation, the entity responsible for executing the project in coordination with the Agency of Digital transformation (ATD).
During his visit to the construction site, the Minister of Economy, Finance, European Funds and Digital Transformation, Luis Alberto MarĆnHe emphasized the importance of collaboration with the municipalities involved. He explained that the creation of these four centers will allow for the consolidation of [the program/initiative]. a regional network for training in digital skills, geared towards both users with little technological experience and more advanced profiles.
The mayor of Lorca, Fulgencio GilHe emphasized that this facility will be a space "open to all," where any resident can receive training in essential digital skills and learn firsthand Emerging technologies that drive innovation and equal opportunitiesThe project's aim is clearly inclusive, with special attention to groups that have been left behind in digitalization.
The planned activities include everything from the basic computer literacy including specialized workshops, as well as personalized guidance sessions. The advisor himself pointed out that, for example, elderly people having problems with their mobile phone or with electronic procedures they can go to the Cloud Center to receive help and thus contribute to bridging the digital divide that still exists in certain population groups.
Investment and financing of the new technology space
To implement this new resource, the regional government has committed an investment exceeding 140.000 euros In the specific case of Lorca, this amount is allocated both to the renovation of the premises and to the adaptation of the space and the purchase of state-of-the-art furniture and technological equipment.
In more detailed figures, the regional government anticipates almost 40.000 euros for the work of the building's physical conditioning, and around 102.000 Euros additional resources to provide the Lorca Cloud Center with everything necessary in terms of equipment, furniture and teaching resources. The total estimated investment is around 150.000 euros, according to the various estimates provided during institutional visits.
The project not only has regional funding, but also Lorca City Council complements the action with a municipal contribution of 12.000 eurosIn this way, the city council is directly involved in the development of the center, as it is an infrastructure that fits with local strategies for modernization and urban regeneration.
This initiative is part of a broader program promoted through the Integra Digital Foundation, which oversees the four Cloud Centers currently under construction in the Region of Murcia. The shared objective is to provide citizens with reference spaces, offering standardized resources and shared methodologies, so that a genuine regional digital training network is established.
The chosen venue in Lorca has about 140 square meters It is located opposite the Agricultural Chamber building, on one of the most emblematic stretches of Corredera Street. This central and well-connected location has been considered ideal to guarantee the accessibility of the service to all residents, including those who travel on foot from other neighborhoods in the city center.
Cloud Center Design: Connect Zone and multipurpose classrooms
The design of the Cloud Center in Lorca has been conceived so that be a functional, accessible and comfortable spaceadapted to the different activities that will take place. It is not just a traditional computer lab, but a flexible space where formal training, personalized tutoring, and collaborative work coexist.
One of the key pieces will be the so-called āConnect Zoneā, an area designed for meetings, tutorials, digital mentoring and videoconferencesThis space will be used to organize orientation activities, answer specific questions, or hold meetings between users and technology professionals, thus promoting a more personalized use of the center.
In addition, the Cloud Center will have two multipurpose classrooms, designed to welcome from face-to-face courses and practical workshops up to teleworking sessions or group dynamicsThe layout of these classrooms aims to facilitate different furniture configurations, adapting to both large groups and small specialized workshops.
The intention of those in charge of the project is that the space is easily adaptable Depending on the scheduled activity: basic training, informative talks, advisory sessions for local businesses, or even activities aimed at schoolchildren and young people. The center's versatility will be one of its strengths when it comes to responding to very different needs.
In this way, the Cloud Center will not only function as a typical computer lab, but as a meeting place for the communityA space to share experiences, projects, and questions related to digital transformation. This philosophy aligns with the idea of āācreating a welcoming environment where technology is seen as an everyday tool, not something inaccessible.
State-of-the-art technology within reach of the public
One of the highlights of the Lorca Cloud Centre will be its state-of-the-art technological equipmentdesigned so that training is not limited to theoretical concepts, but includes a very strong practical and experimental component.
Among the available resources will be 3D printers, robotics kits, and educational dronesThese materials will allow for the development of workshops related to programming, engineering, and applied creativity. They are especially suitable for STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), which are in high demand in current education.
The center will also have virtual and augmented reality glassesThese tools facilitate immersive experiences useful for both teaching and simulating work environments or complex situations that are difficult to replicate in a traditional classroom. In this way, users of different ages will be able to try first hand which are increasingly present in productive and educational sectors.
Added to this are laptops, tablets, digital whiteboards, and other devices These resources will allow users to develop both basic and advanced digital skills. The goal is for everyone, from those taking their first steps online to more experienced users, to find resources suited to their level.
The training program will be organized in essential digital skills itinerariessuch as safe internet use, email management, completing online government procedures, and personal data protection. For those with more advanced knowledge, further training will be offered. specialized workshops on emerging technologies and professional tools.
Training, workshops and support for older people
The program at the Lorca Cloud Center is designed to to accommodate a wide variety of profiles, from students and professionals to unemployed or retired people who need to catch up in the digital field.
The planned activities include courses in computer literacy For those starting from scratch, sessions on electronic transactions with public administrations, online security workshops and specific training to make better use of mobile phones, tablets or other everyday devices.
A significant part of the project focuses on care for the elderlywho often find it more difficult to adapt to new digital tools. According to the Digital Transformation advisor, the center will have staff trained to help resolve specific questionssuch as setting up a mobile phone, using messaging apps, or accessing online banking services.
This support aims to ensure that no one is left behind in the digitization process, especially those groups with less technological experience. The idea is for the Cloud Center to become a place of trust to which one can turn when a problem arises or when one wants to take a further step in the use of digital tools.
In addition, the organization of thematic workshops and outreach activities aimed at families, young people or small local businesses, so that the center also acts as a catalyst for the social and economic fabric of the city through the use of technology.
Impact on Corredera Street and the historic center of Lorca
Beyond the technological aspect, the opening of the Cloud Center on Corredera Street will have a direct impact on the revitalization of the historic center of LorcaThe choice of this location is not accidental: it is a pedestrian street that has suffered a notable decline in commercial activity in recent years.
Mayor Fulgencio Gil has indicated that the arrival of this new resource, together with the future reopening of the Agricultural Chamber building in the same area, it will contribute to the Corredera becoming a nerve center for growth, innovation and service provisionThe constant presence of users, trainers and visitors can generate a positive effect on the hospitality, commerce and cultural life of the surrounding area.
This project is integrated into the municipal plan for housing development and restoration of historic buildings which the City Council is promoting in the old town. The combination of heritage-related projects with new technological infrastructure seeks to balance the preservation of the historic center with its adaptation to current needs.
Corredera Street, moreover, already hosts Regular events such as the Christmas market, the book fair, or activities linked to the Fortaleza Sound festivalThis reinforces its role as a hub of social activity. The addition of the Cloud Center will add an educational and technological component to this already established agenda.
In parallel, the rehabilitation works of the Agrarian Chamber They are progressing towards their final phase, according to Councilor Luis Alberto MarĆn, who indicated that it is a complex project due to the building's unique characteristics. The restoration of this building, along with the new center, reinforces the Autonomous Community's commitment to revitalize a key artery of the city.
With the commissioning of Lorca Cloud Centre in 2026The city will gain a space where digital training, technological innovation, and urban revitalization will go hand in hand. The combination of significant public investment, state-of-the-art equipment, and a strategic location in the Corredera district suggests that this resource will become an important part of the regional digital ecosystem and, at the same time, a driving force for revitalizing daily life in Lorca's historic center.
