Dead River donates trucks for driver training center at EMCC

Courtesy / Foundation for Maine's Community Colleges Derek Langhauser, president of the Maine Community College System (far left), and Lisa Larson, president of Eastern Maine Community College (far right), join Dead River Co.'s Tracy Thibodeaux, Guy Langevin and Casey Cramtom at a ceremonial passing of the keys to the five trucks the company has donated to EMCC's new Commercial Driver's License Training Center.

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By Staff

Maine has a shortage of commercial truck drivers, so Dead River Co. donated five trucks to a new training center at Eastern Maine Community College.

The Commercial Driver’s License Training Center at EMCC’s Bangor campus will address the statewide shortage of qualified drivers for heavy equipment.

“We are grateful to Dead River for this important contribution to our new training center,” said EMCC President Lisa Larson. “Maine companies and industries are dependent on commercial drivers to deliver the goods. These trucks will help us meet the strong demand for commercial drivers in industries and areas across Maine.”

The center will serve students and trainees at four of the state’s seven community colleges.

Training for the Class A license will be delivered at Central Maine, Eastern Maine and Kennebec Valley community colleges. Students enrolled in heavy equipment programs at Washington County Community College and the lineworker technology program at Kennebec Valley Community College will be able to prepare for the Class B license in order to operate the vehicles necessary for employment in those fields.

Dead River’s donation includes three Kenworth T800 trucks, a Freightliner FL70 and a Navistar 4900.

“There is a shortage of commercial drivers throughout Maine and the U.S.,” said Guy Langevin, vice president and chief administrative officer at South Portland-based Dead River, the largest retailer of heating products in northern New England. “This gift demonstrates Dead River Co.’s continued commitment to developing Maine’s workforce and supporting our community colleges.”