Sep 5, 2024
Veterans' Issues
Spanberger Announces $200,000 Federal Grant to Enroll Virginians in Caroline County Commercial Truck Driving Program, Strengthen Local Trucking Workforce
The Award Will Allow Commercial Driver Services, Inc. in Caroline County to Recruit & Enroll More Than 100 Virginians in its Commercial Driver’s License Program
This Week Marks “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced a federal grant of $200,000 to recruit and cover the cost for Virginians to join the trucking workforce. This funding was made possible through the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Spanberger helped negotiate and voted to pass in 2021.
Specifically, this award from the U.S. Department of Transportation will allow Commercial Driver Services, Inc. in Caroline County to recruit Virginians — including those from underserved communities — to their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program. Additionally, this grant will allow the company to cover the program’s tuition for an anticipated 105 students.
“Virginia’s truck drivers are vital to keeping our goods flowing, costs low, and our economy growing. These are family-sustaining jobs,” said Spanberger. “With this announcement, our Commonwealth will take a step towards attracting new drivers and addressing the chronic truck driver shortage in Virginia. Congratulations to Commercial Driver Services, Inc. for receiving this award, and thank you for all your drivers have done to keep our communities moving and all you continue to do to encourage more drivers to get behind the wheel. I’m proud to see the bipartisan infrastructure law deliver on its promise of getting more Virginians in the driver’s seat in Caroline County and across our Commonwealth.”
This award was announced during “National Truck Driver Appreciation Week,” which is celebrated from September 10 through September 16.
Spanberger has consistently worked to address Virginia’s trucking workforce shortage and help more Virginians enter these high-quality careers. Earlier this year, she reintroduced her bipartisan bill to establish a refundable income tax credit for qualified commercial truck drivers. And in April 2023, Spanberger helped introduce a bipartisan bill to cut red tape for Veterans looking to use their GI benefits to pay for CDL education programs.
###