U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) visits the DMACC Ankeny Campus on Thur., June 6, 2024, to share the news that he has secured a $1 million investment for new infrastructure at the DMACC Transportation Institute Education Center.
“Iowa businesses are facing supply chain issues and one of the main contributors is a lack of employees who hold a commercial driver's license," said Rep. Nunn (above, at podium). “Programs, like what will be offered at the DMACC Transportation Institute Education Center, opens doors for Iowans to good-paying jobs. This is a key investment to boost the workforce in Iowa and support our economy."
Rep. Nunn secured $1 million through the Community Project Funding process, which allows members to designate funding for critical initiatives. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 that was signed into law on March 6th.
Standing behind Rep. Nunn (above, left to right) are Andy Brewer of Des Moines, a current student at the DMACC Transportation Institute; Chelsea Miller, Administrative Assistant at the DMACC Transportation Institute; Isaac Bruck, Instructor at the DMACC Transportation Institute; Derrick Walker, Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades and Transportation (METT) at DMACC; Rob Denson, President of DMACC; and Doug Means, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Casey's General Stores.
DMACC President Rob Denson (above, at podium) thanks U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) for working to secure a $1 million federal grant to support the new DMACC Transportation Institute, which is currently under construction.
“All of us at DMACC are thrilled with this announcement and grateful to Congressman Zach Nunn for securing this important federal grant dedicated to the construction of the new DMACC Transportation Institute," Denson said. “Our goal is to recruit and train more truck drivers, and this federal grant will help us achieve that goal."
The $1 million investment will assist DMACC in constructing the 8,600-square-foot Transportation Institute Education Center and a 12-acre concrete driving concourse at the corner of Northeast 54th Avenue and Delaware in Des Moines. The new state-of-the-art facility will allow DMACC to double the number of Transportation Institute students from 250 per year to 500 once completed. It will also offer students more training opportunities and amenities.
Pictured above (from left to right) are Chelsea Miller, Administrative Assistant at the DMACC Transportation Institute; U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03); Rob Denson, DMACC President; and Derrick Walker, Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades and Transportation (METT) at DMACC.
Doug Means (above, at podium), Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Casey's General Stores shares some remarks while attending the June 6 announcement that U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) has secured a $1 million investment for new infrastructure at the DMACC Transportation Institute.
Casey's General Stores recently donated $100,000 in support of the DMACC Transportation Institute, and Means said attracting and training a talent pipeline for drivers is key to the company's future workforce, as well as for the transportation networks of many companies.
Pictured above (from left to right) are U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03); Doug Means, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Casey's General Stores; and Derrick Walker, Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades and Transportation (METT) at DMACC.
U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) enjoys checking out the view from the driver's seat of a DMACC semi that is usually piloted by DMACC President Rob Denson.
Denson, who often drives a DMACC semi in community parades, has maintained a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for many years. In fact, Denson worked his way through college by driving a semi in the summers. He drove for a Kent Nutrition Group feed mill in his boyhood home of Homestead, Iowa, and said he has loved driving trucks ever since.
Joining U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) at the announcement are (above, left to right) Chelsea Miller, Administrative Assistant at the DMACC Transportation Institute; Dr. Jenny Foster, Executive Academic Dean, Building Trades & Transportation/Engineering & Manufacturing at DMACC; Rob Denson, President of DMACC; Rep. Nunn; Derrick Walker, Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades and Transportation (METT) at DMACC; Doug Means, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management for Casey's General Stores; and Andy Brewer of Des Moines, a current student at the DMACC Transportation Institute.
U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) talks with Andy Brewer of Des Moines (center), a current student at the DMACC Transportation Institute, as Derrick Walker (right), Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades and Transportation (METT) at DMACC, looks on. Brewer recently began the DMACC Transportation Institute's three-week Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program and says he is looking forward to entering the in-demand field of trucking.
To learn more about the DMACC Transportation Institute, visit dmacc.edu/transportation-institute.
Contacts:
Jacob Holck, Office of Rep. Zach Nunn, (515) 850-7288, Jacob.Holck@mail.house.gov
Lisa Schmitz, DMACC Public Relations, (515) 964-6813, lmschmitz@dmacc.edu