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Committee advances $25,000 ARPA award to nonprofit training returning citizens for CDL jobs
Summary
The Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee voted to send a $25,000 ARPA grant for Rogo Inc., a nonprofit offering Class B CDL training to returning citizens, to full council for a second reading. The group said the $25,000 would fund a vehicle, simulator and tablets as part of a $50,000 startup budget.
The Cuyahoga County Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee voted to move resolution 20250287 to the full county council for a second reading, referring a request that would award up to $25,000 from a District 3 ARPA community grant fund to Rogo Inc., a nonprofit seeking to provide Class B commercial driver license training to returning citizens.
Rogo Inc. founder and CEO Dale Snyder described the organization as an effort "to fight recidivism through Class B CDL training," saying the program will put returning citizens in a position to be "a productive member of society." Snyder told the committee the $25,000 would buy equipment to get training started immediately, including a training vehicle, a simulator and tablets.
The committee heard that Rogo's total startup budget is $50,000. Snyder said the remaining funds would come from a separate grant, donations and his personal funds. "There is a grant that I'm also receiving. That'll be another source. Another would be donation. And then another is out of my pocket," he said.
Committee members asked about sustainment beyond ARPA, which is one-time funding. Snyder described long-term plans that include owning a facility with third-party logistics operations to generate revenue and sustain the nonprofit. He also said Rogo has been in contact with workforce partners and reentry organizations: "I have talked with Towards Employment, been to a couple of their functions," and that he has spoken with pre-release prison programs to recruit participants.
Committee members asked whether Rogo would charge participants. Snyder said training would be free for returning citizens, though the program is open to anyone. "For returning citizens it'll be free," he said, adding that some participants may require help clearing driving-record issues and that the program would coordinate with courts and probation officers where possible.
After discussion the committee chair called for a motion to advance the resolution to the full council for second reading. The motion carried and the item will return to the full council for further consideration.
Votes at committee: resolution 20250287 moved to full council (second reading); individual vote details were not recorded in the committee transcript.
