SPRINGFIELD – Hundreds of people took advantage of a unique opportunity: attending free classes and meeting one-on-one with Google personnel on how the tech giant can help them, their organization and their business.

“Grow with Google” came to Springfield on July 9 with dozens of employees taking over much of the MassMutual Center with workshops, exhibits and counselors.

Jesse Haines, director of Grow with Google, announced a $100,000 grant to FutureWorks to be used to support a digital training program for job seekers.

“Creating opportunity has always been a core value of Google,” Haines said.

Kevin Lynn, the executive director of FutureWorks, told The Reminder. He was “really thrilled with the award.” The grant will expand the center’s digital class offerings, he added.

“We are proud to partner with such a well-respected regional program and eager to see how this Grow with Google investment will help those in Western Massachusetts,” said Aisha Taylor, Community Engagement Manager for Grow with Google. “Digital skills are critical to obtaining work in the 21st Century economy, and we’re committed to working with FutureWorks to provide youth and adult job seekers in the Springfield area with those skills.”

Haines explained that Google has an office in Cambridge and helps create $12.5 billion in economic activity in the Commonwealth. According to a statement released by the company, “Launched in October 2017, Grow with Google is the tech company’s new initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans. The project is an extension of Google’s long-standing commitment to making information and technology accessible to everyone, and focuses on providing digital skills and learning opportunities to communities across the United States.”

Haines noted Google sought community partners in Springfield that “move the city forward. These included Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, CareerPoint, Economic Development Council of Western Mass, Greentown Springfield Manufacturing Initiative, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill Industries of Pioneer Valley, Junior Achievement, Massachusetts 4H, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, Partners for Community, Project Coach, Springfield Partners for Community Action, Springfield City Library, Springfield Public Schools, Springfield Technical Community College, The Knowledge Corridor, The Tech Foundry, United Way of Pioneer Valley, Urban League of Springfield, Valley Venture Mentors and Western Mass SCORE.

Many of the partnering organizations were on hand to answer questions from attendees.

There were several displays of locally produced snacks for attendees to sample, promoting those businesses.

Attendees could attend workshops on how to use Google to reach customers for their businesses; using data to drive growth of a business; understanding email, spreadsheets and presentations; and coding for children.

There was a line of attendees waiting to speak to a number of Google counselors about their questions on how to use Google products and tools to assist their business. Dave Burroughs on Google said the focus was on small business and offering solutions to business concerns.

Mayor Domenic Sarno said Google chose Springfield because of the increased economic activity in the city and the region.

“They just didn’t throw a dart at a dart board,” Sarno said speaking of the decision to come to Springfield. He said it was all about jobs.

Congressman Richard Neal explained there are 6.8 million jobs that go unfilled because of a lack of training and that Google’s efforts will assist small businesses and job seekers in the region.