The Blairsville campus of North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, to celebrate the launch of a new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Range.
The $4.7 million project is funded through the state budget and will cover construction costs and new equipment for the academic program. The CDL training range will include a 77,440-square-foot concrete pad and a 4,620-square-foot parking area with drive-in access and two full carousels. Both the CDL and Electrical Lineworker programs will use the new facilities. Construction is scheduled to begin in November, with student enrollment expected to start in the fall semester of 2026.
“The CDL and Electrical Lineworker programs can be completed in as little as eight weeks and offer students and their families the chance at a better life,” said Stephanie Benson, NGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Expanding the Blairsville Campus CDL program will allow us to train more than 100 graduates each year, helping to meet critical workforce demands in our area.”
“This groundbreaking isn’t just about building a CDL range — it’s about addressing real workforce needs in our region,” said NGTC President John Wilkinson. “With demand for skilled commercial drivers at an all-time high, this new training center will prepare more qualified professionals to fill those roles. It’s a significant step forward for our students, our local economy, and the industries that depend on them.”
State legislators joined NGTC’s board of directors, Foundation board members, leadership team, and staff for the ceremony in Blairsville.
