Isothermal Community College partners with Meta to create high-tech lab to foster innovation and tech entrepreneurship

By: Mike Gavin
Published: August 27, 2024

SPINDALE (Aug. 27, 2024) – The future of technology is coming soon to a classroom near you.

Thanks to a more than $250,000 grant from Meta, Isothermal Community College (ICC) will open the doors of the new Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence Lab (XRAIL) during this academic year. The lab is positioned to transform the tech landscape in ICC's service area of Polk and Rutherford counties.

XRAIL will serve as a sort of technological "maker space" that will not only facilitate the delivery of cutting-edge ICC courses offered through both curriculum and continuing education programs but will also provide equitable access to advanced technological resources necessary to support the community, including K-12 partners, local business and industry, and up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

As a result, this initiative will facilitate training a skilled workforce in advanced technologies like extended reality, AI, cybersecurity, and coding, with the potential to draw in new jobs and industry to the region.

“The XRAIL program represents a cornerstone in our strategy to not only elevate the technological proficiency within our community but also to catalyze a new era of innovation and economic growth,” said Greg Thomas, vice president for Academic and Student Affairs at Isothermal Community College. “Through this initiative, we are setting the stage for transformative opportunities that will resonate across generations.”

“We are proud to continue investing in the long-term vitality of Rutherford County,” said Kelley McCall, Community Development Regional Manager at Meta. “This grant will be a catalyst for workforce development, empowering individuals with skills that are increasingly in demand in the tech industry.”

Since breaking ground on the Forest City Data Center in 2010, Meta has continued to demonstrate its investment in the community. Meta has supported many efforts at the college with funding and technical assistance over the years, along with various partnerships with local schools, entrepreneurship and small business investments, and the Meta Data Center Community Action Grants program.

This donation to the Isothermal Community College Foundation, which totals more than $250,000, will pay for the hardware and software needed to get the XRAIL up and running.

“Our Foundation has a longstanding relationship with Meta and we are so glad to work with them on this kind of investment in our community that will go a very long way in supporting our students,” said Dr. Thad Harrill, Isothermal’s chief development officer.

Thomas added that XRAIL will also “foster collaborations across sectors, including industry, economic development, education, and government, to promote tech-based entrepreneurship. XRAIL’s comprehensive approach will ensure the region remains adaptable and economically vibrant, ready for future technological shifts.”