Des Moines Area Community College is getting a $1 million federal investment in its transportation institute.
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn announced the funding Thursday at DMACC’s Ankeny campus for the college’s transportation institute, which is currently being updated and modernized to better serve a larger crop of students.
“This is a key investment not just to boost the workforce, but to provide a great pathway for folks to have long-term careers that they can support their family and their communities with,” the Bondurant Republican said.
DMACC’s commercial driver’s license training program is known for the excellent drivers it produces, DMACC President Rob Denson said, but the college’s facilities haven’t been able to keep up with industry demands. The old building had issues with leaks and mold, and about half the 12-acre site’s paved area was unusable for training.
Once complete, the institute will have six usable concourses and the capacity for 500 students, double the number it can currently serve. Students and staff will have access to new classrooms, garages, and spaces for individual and group study, as well as new parking areas.
About one-third of the concourse has been repaved so far, Denson said, and the college already is using it for training. Construction is ahead of schedule, thanks to a mild winter that allowed crews to start early after a November groundbreaking. Denson expects to set an October or November date for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It’s hard work, our faculty and staff work very hard, but now they’ve got a facility that’s equivalent to their quality,” he said. “So we’re very, very excited.”
Close to half of cost raised, more support expected
Nunn obtained the funds for DMACC through the Community Project Funding process, according to a news release, and it was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, signed into law in March. With these federal dollars, almost half of the cost of the $9 million project has been raised, Denson said, adding that more large gifts are possible.
Other support for the project include $1 million from the Future Ready Iowa program, $1 million from businessman and DMACC graduate Dennis Albaugh, $500,000 from Kent Corp. CEO Gage Kent and $100,000 each from Casey’s, Fareway and Polk County, among others.
The U.S.has a shortage of more than 80,000 truck drivers, Nunn said, and if not addressed, that number could double in the next five years. Expanding the capacity of the DMACC driver training program not only will help Iowans, he said, but extend the state’s reach across the country through businesses like Casey’s.
Doug Means, Casey’s senior vice president of supply chain management, said the company operates its own fleet of trucks to deliver items to more than 2,600 stores across the country. Means said corporations like Casey’s rely on drivers trained by programs like DMACC’s and he is excited to support the college in its expansion.
“Just like Casey’s, Iowa needs a steady source of professionally trained drivers,” Means said. “As supply chains continue to recover from the impact of COVID and the demand for more efficient and effective delivery models continues to grow, we will naturally see a greater need for more drivers. With this new facility, DMACC is perfectly positioned to help meet the need that will allow the (commercial driver license) training program to double its student capacity, resulting in more fully certified truck drivers.”
Find this storyatIowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions:[email protected].
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