Iowa Central Community College Receives $119,000 Federal Grant to Support Veterans and Improve Road Safety

Emily Denholm, Public Information Office
11/11/2024

IOWA CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES $119,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO SUPPORT VETERANS AND IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY

Grant funding will help improve driver safety and create career opportunities in local communities

FORT DODGE, IOWA – In honor of Veterans Day, Iowa Central Community College proudly announces the receipt of a $119,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Through the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operational Safety (CMVOST) program, this funding will expand opportunities for veterans and individuals from underrepresented communities to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and pursue careers in the trucking and transportation industries.

The CMVOST grant is part of a larger initiative by FMCSA to improve driver safety and reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The funding will specifically focus on increasing the number of CDL holders with enhanced safety training, with a strong emphasis on providing opportunities for current or former military service members and individuals from rural, refugee, and underserved communities.

“We are proud to be part of an initiative that enhances roadway safety and opens new career pathways for our veterans and other underserved populations,” said Shelly Blunk, Dean of Economic Development & Continuing Education. “We are honored to support our veterans with this grant allowing us to give back to those who have served by providing them with critical skills and meaningful career pathways. This initiative is a vital investment in our local workforce, supporting veterans and underserved communities while enhancing roadway safety across the country.”

FMCSA Deputy Administrator Vinn White remarked, “At FMCSA, safety is our top priority – that includes the safety of commercial motor vehicle drivers and the safety of all road users. We are excited to support programs like the one at Iowa Central Community College that are dedicated to enhancing safety training and providing valuable career opportunities for veterans and individuals from underserved populations.”

This will reduce the severity and number of crashes on our nation’s roads involving large trucks and buses by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training. The focus on attracting veterans and individuals from underserved communities helps expand and diversify the trucking industry. The grant also highlights the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued commitment to its Trucking Action Plan, increasing the pool of trained drivers to strengthen the trucking workforce. Strengthening our nation’s trucking workforce also improves the resiliency of our national supply chain.

For more information regarding the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operational Safety (CMVOST) program grant and earning your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), please contact the Transportation Center at 515-574-1965. 

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Iowa Central Community College serves a nine-county area consisting of Buena Vista, Calhoun, Greene, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster, and Wright. The college offers more than 99 academic programs, over 30 athletic programs, and numerous performing arts opportunities. Iowa Central partners with high school districts within the region to offer college credits as well. Iowa Central’s Fort Dodge campus spans across a 114-acre site where approximately 1,200 students live in apartment-style residences. Additionally, Iowa Central has campuses in Storm Lake and Webster City, and Career Academies in Laurens, Eagle Grove, and Jefferson. Besides traditional academic offerings, Iowa Central also provides services for local and area businesses through a variety of programs, career connections, and community education. To learn more, visit iowacentral.edu.