Itawamba Community College broke ground Monday on a new driving center set to teach students who aspire to join the commercial trucking industry.
The 8,504-square-foot facility will be located across the street from the school’s Tupelo campus and include multiple truck bays, a lab with a truck driving simulator, a classroom, an exterior wash bay, three offices, and a storage area.
“Today, we break ground on a facility that will not only enhance our institution but will also help us to better a need in our region and beyond,” Itawamba Community College President Dr. Jay Allen said. “This new Commercial Truck Driving Training Center symbolizes more than the start of another construction project but represents our continued commitment to education, workforce development, and the future of our students.
“Our goal, as always, is to provide sustainable pathways to success, and this center will do just that by providing a space for our students to learn and train for a critical role in today’s economy.”
According to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, there are currently 10,000 truck drivers in north Mississippi alone, and projections indicate there will be 1,200 openings annually. On a national scale, the trucking market is expected to grow at a 3% rate annually through 2027.
“We all know how vital the trucking industry is in almost every aspect of our lives,” Itawamba Community College Vice President of Career and Workforce Education Barry Emison added. “From what we wear, what we eat, our tools, toys, gadgets – almost everything as well as the materials to make it get to ride in a truck at some point.”
Allen, Emison, and other officials at Itawamba Community College expressed appreciation to Gov. Tate Reeves for his support of the project and other partners, including the Community Development Foundation, Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Appalachian Regional Commission, and Accelerate MS. PryorMorrow PC is designing the facility and Hooker Construction will be the contractor.
The commercial truck driving program at Itawamba Community College prepares individuals to drive Class A semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles. It includes four-week or six-week training options.
