GNTC celebrates opening of new commercial truck driving range in Rockmart

Pictured, from left, Charles Laurens, project manager at Rochester and Associates Inc.; Bryan Roberts, senior project manager at Northwest Georgia Paving Inc.; Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC; and Angela Berch, GNTC Vice President of Economic Development, celebrate the completion of the second Commercial Truck Driving Range at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for its new Commercial Truck Driving Range at GNTC’s Polk County Campus in Rockmart.

The new driving range, which is 50 by 100 meters, and the current range will be used to train and certify students for a Class A Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) restricted license as part of the Electrical Lineworker Program. Class B CDL training and certification will also be made available to the public. Business and industry partners will offer both Class A and/or Class B CDL training as an opportunity to upskill current employees. These programs are offered through GNTC’s Office of Economic Development.

“This new range represents an important milestone for GNTC and our surrounding community,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC. “The driving range will provide invaluable hands-on training for students in our economic development CDL programs, equipping them with practical skills they need to pursue successful careers in the transportation industry. This driving range also supports GNTC’s Electrical Lineworker Program, which was launched in partnership with Georgia Power.”

These trainings prepare the next generation of workers who will keep communities safe and connected, said Dr. Popham.

“None of this would have been possible without our supportive legislative delegation, our business and industry partners, Georgia Power, Southern Company and our community leaders,” said Dr. Popham.

“This second series was necessary because one series could no longer accommodate all that economic development has to offer,” said Angela Berch, vice president of Economic Development at GNTC.

With two series, GNTC will be able to offer the two continuing education programs, Lineworker Program and CDL Class B, as well as a Corporate CDL Training Program, U.S. Department of Labor CDL Apprenticeships and CDL Class B for area employers, Ms. Berch said.

Rochester and Associates Inc. of Gainesville designed the range, and Northwest Georgia Paving Inc. of Calhoun was the contractor.

“The new range allows us to grow and look to the future,” said Ms Berch.