Columbus Technical College joined local, state and national officials along with the Pezold Management Group celebrated the groundbreaking for their Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and future home of the Veterans Education Career Resource Transition (VECTR) Workforce Development Center today. The site is conveniently located at 2339 Fort Benning Road, a location that provides easily accessible, high-demand career training for nearby residents and an estimated 2,500 exiting military personnel annually transitioning from active duty to civilian life and work. When complete, this facility will play a vital role in fulfilling the CTC mission of developing the skilled workforce needed in the Chattahoochee Valley.

Columbus, Georgia community leaders were on site to shovel dirt at the 2339 Fort Benning Road location to signal the beginning of construction on the future site of a CDL Range and future VECTR Workforce Development Center. The CDL range project is made possible through Governor Kemp’s Emergency Education Relief Fund Grant award, support from the Technical College System of Georgia, and generous support from the Pezold family.

"Columbus Tech is very excited to announce this new project in the city," said CTC President, Martha Ann Todd. "We believe this addition will serve as a workforce entry point for both exiting military, veterans, and residents of the Chattahoochee Valley as they receive the training and resources needed to fulfill workforce gaps in current critical fields.”

The impetus for this project is driven by nationwide reports and current statistics identifying trucking industry shortages, unprecedented demand from consumers and shippers and persistent challenges across the supply chain.

Speakers at this event included:

Jack Pezold (Pezold Management Group)
Ray Perren (TCSG Deputy Commissioner)
MG (RET) Patrick Donahoe
Mayor Skip Henderson
Gary Allen (Columbus City Council)
Kenneth Cutts (Chief of Staff, U.S. Congress)
Brenda Williams (Senator Warnock’s Office)
Senator Ed Harbison
State Representative Vance Smith
Crystal Shahid (CTC Board Chair)
Greg Paul (CTC Foundation)
Martha Ann Todd (CTC President

"It's an outstanding day for our city," said Mayor Skip Henderson of Columbus. "We are thankful to Columbus Technical College for their continued commitment to being on the forefront of creating solutions that will positively impact our workforce."

The CDL site location will be a facility designed to support high-volume, well-trained additions to the local labor force. The CDL training range will accommodate up to 350 drivers annually with the coordinating training program set to begin in Fall 2023.

Jack Pezold commented regarding future plans for the site, “This groundbreaking represents the Columbus community’s commitment to providing access to good paying jobs for soldiers returning to civilian life while also encouraging them to remain in the Valley area.” A future VECTR Center on the same property is expected to include multiple labs and flexible classroom space, including adult education and entry-level health programs. It will provide accelerated training opportunities in high-demand career fields tailored to the workforce needs of the Chattahoochee Valley.

CTC Board Chair, Crystal Pendleton Shahid said, "These innovative facilities will be a game changer for industry and employment opportunities in the area."