U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $742,180 to Expand Truck Driver Workforce Training Efforts in Fitzgerald, Georgia

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $742,180 grant to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to enhance their truck driver training program and support job creation in the region.

This grant will bolster the aims of the Biden Administration’s Trucking Action Plan to grow and strengthen America’s trucking workforce.

This investment will construct a concrete practice pad and access road to support truck driver training workforce development. This EDA grant will be matched with $318,078 in local funds, is expected to create or retain 235 jobs, and generate $40 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Economic Development Administration is honored to support the enhancement of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s Commercial Truck Driving Training program,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The new facilities will increase enrollment in this critical workforce training program, leading to good-paying, high-quality jobs that support the nation’s supply chain resilience.”

“Senator Warnock and I are pleased to help deliver this workforce development investment to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to ensure South Georgia’s residents have access to job training programs and to strengthen our supply chains,” said Senator Jon Ossoff. “I thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Raimondo, and Assistant Secretary Castillo for their support.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southern Georgia Regional Commission (SGRC). EDA funds SGRC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.