OTTUMWA, IA — Yesterday, Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) joined Indian Hills Community College President Dr. Matt Thompson, state and local elected officials, and industry partners to celebrate the opening of the college’s new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skid pad. Supported by $1 million in federal investment secured by Rep. Nunn, the new facility will expand hands-on truck driver training and help prepare southeast Iowa students for careers in a high-demand industry. B-roll of the ceremony can be found here and below.
“A four-year degree isn’t the only path to a good-paying job, and we’re making sure more Iowans can build successful careers right here at home,” said Rep. Nunn. “Iowa’s economy depends on truck drivers to keep our goods moving, businesses operating, and supply chains strong. This new skid pad gives Indian Hills students the hands-on experience they need to earn their CDL and enter a high-demand field. That’s what investing in Iowa’s workforce looks like: creating real opportunities for the next generation while helping local employers find the skilled workers they need.
Rep. Nunn secured the $1 million federal investment through the FY2024 Community Project Funding process to expand practical driving instruction across Indian Hills Community College’s 10-county service region. He is also leading the bipartisan Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act, which would provide tax credits of up to $10,000 for new truck drivers and $7,500 for existing drivers to help recruit and retain qualified drivers and address the nationwide truck driver shortage.
Photos of the ribbon-cutting ceremony are available here, and b-roll is available here.
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