County asks Southwestern Community College to study CDL program feasibility for regional training needs

Macon County commissioners and staff asked Southwestern Community College to study the feasibility of establishing a local CDL training program after discussing regional demand from first‑responders, school bus drivers and other employers.

Dr. Thomas, representing Southwestern Community College, told the board that CDL training would be provided through the college’s continuing education (noncredit) division and that a feasibility study — including employer surveys and a needs assessment — would likely take through the summer into the fall. He said the college’s continuing‑education team will coordinate the study and report back to the board with recommended next steps, potential costs and likely timelines.

Commissioners asked the college to consider options such as fee waivers for first responders if the county subsidizes tuition and whether paving or other site work costs would affect the program’s viability. Dr. Thomas said he would follow up on tuition and fee rules and the logistics of tuition waivers for public‑sector participants.

Why it matters: Local CDL training could support county workforce needs — from school transportation to fire and EMS — and the feasibility study will help the county evaluate costs, partnerships and whether to seek grant or county funding to support the program.