A DAY

The labs are ideal for students as well as community residents and organizations. A video wall provides a great space for group collaborations, and booths are ideal for small group meetings.

“We have libraries on campus, but we didn’t have a location that provided this kind of an in-depth, Apple-based technology until the labs were opened,” says Gayle Walsh, IT director at USC Salkehatchie.

Economic Impact

The Allendale iCarolina Lab serves as a site for the Southern Palmetto Regional Chamber’s Propel Business Lab — a 12-week program offered in partnership with the USC Salkehatchie Leadership Institute that began in January. The Propel Business Lab helps entrepreneurs develop marketing plans and provides a “Shark Tank”-style event where participants compete for a $10,000 grant to boost their business.

“This technology, coupled with the Propel Business Lab project, will bolster entrepreneurship and economic vitality. By using these state-of-the-art spaces to conduct entrepreneurial and business development courses to the community at large, folks from our five counties will be equipped with the resources and tools they need to start or grow their small businesses,” says Jackson Alexander, director of the Leadership Institute.

This is a perfect example of the type of economic impact the labs can have, according to Cone. “We want to make sure we’re offering everything we can to move our communities forward,” she says.

Enhancing Education

The need for better broadband opportunities took center stage after college and high school classes went virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We learned quickly that if you didn’t have access to high-speed internet, you were going to be behind,” Cone says. “This initiative hopefully filled part of that gap.”

The university’s iCarolina Labs opened in June 2022 thanks to $6 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds. The labs are part of an initiative to establish Apple labs throughout the state, including six at the University of South Carolina’s Palmetto College regional campuses and another at Benedict College. The sites chosen are no more than 15 miles from broadband deserts — areas where internet access is sparse — based on information from the South Carolina Broadband Map.

The USC Salkehatchie campuses were ideal locations for the labs because both already had fiber internet through PRTC. “These labs wouldn’t be possible without fiber internet,” Cone says.

About USC Salkehatchie’s iCarolina Community Learning Labs Programs

The iCarolina Learning Labs on both campuses offer free community interest courses and computer certification courses. Apple Bits and Bytes covers the basic use of Apple products. “We’ll be covering the basics, from macOS and iOS to how to get the most from your iPhone,” Gwen Lee, Allendale iCarolina coordinator, says. Swift programming certification courses are also available.

Additionally, the lab coordinators can help with job searches, resumes and applications online. “Almost all jobs are listed online these days and applying online is required," Chris Maggio, coordinator of the Walterboro location, says. "We’re here to help those who need assistance with that.”

Locations:

Walterboro iCarolina Lab

Peden B. McLeod Library

807 Hampton St.

Walterboro, SC 29488

843-782-8705 | Chris Maggio, coordinator

Allendale iCarolina Lab

Library and Academic Support Building

465 James Brandt Blvd.

Allendale, SC 29810

803-812-7335 | Gwen Lee, coordinator

Hours:

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday

For meetings or use of the labs after hours, contact the coordinators directly.