SCCC receives funding for CDL, diesel tech expansion

By Phil Lee

LIBERAL, Kan. – Seward County Community College was awarded a $1.8 million grant to improve its facilities for its truck driving and diesel technology programs.

The funds will be used to build a truck driving facility and expand the diesel technology building.

“It’s exciting for us and the area to be able to build a new truck driving school and accommodate a lot more students in an area of such high demand,” said SCCC President Brad Bennett, adding that “it’s also going to be a huge expansion for diesel technology as well.”

The funds were part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which Gov. Laura Kelly signed on Monday.

“This bill includes additional investments in our regional universities and community and technical colleges, which are critical to our efforts to expand our workforce in the state of Kansas,” Kelly said in a statement.

“We’re very excited and appreciate the governor’s support. It’s the first time that higher ed in Kansas has been fully funded in this way,” said Bennett. “I also want to thank Heather Morgan, executive director of Kansas Association Community College Trustees and Rep. Shannon Francis for their support of this legislation.”

The college will receive $1,843,594 in funding and be required to match it on a one-to-one basis.

According to Bennett, meetings to help with donations for the project are already underway.

“We had initial meetings with industry partners,” Bennett said. “They are coming together and trying to figure out ways that they can help the project – whether it’s in-kind or actual cash. I think this could be bigger than what it is now.”