Seven community and technical colleges and two state government training facilities received a share of $1 million in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) grants to enhance behind-the-wheel safety training courses for students enrolled in commercial driver’s license (CDL) training programs, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Thursday. 

The goals of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Training Grant Program are to make the roadways safer by increasing the number of CDL holders with enhanced safety training. In addition, the program seeks to assist economically-distressed regions of the U.S. by providing workforce training opportunities for qualified individuals to become commercial motor vehicle operators. 

Those eligible for the grant program include accredited public and private institutions of higher education, federally recognized Native American Tribal Governments and city, county and state governments. The following institutions were awarded grants for fiscal year 2010:

Arkansas – Arkansas State University, Newport ($74,072);

California – West Hills Community College, Coalinga ($87,360);

Illinois – Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove (59,978);

Iowa – Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City ($144,750);

Missouri – Crowder College, Neosho ($106,140);

North Carolina – North Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh ($131,967);

Pennsylvania – Northampton County Area Community College, Bethlehem ($140,000);

Virginia – Western Virginia Workforce Development Board, Roanoke ($178,568);

Utah – Snow College, Ephraim ($77,165)

To apply for the fiscal year 2011 CMV Operator Training Grant Program, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.