Trumbull Entities Receive Tax Credits to Upskill CDL Drivers
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The state awarded tax credits to several Trumbull County entities to help support training for companies and commercial drivers.
Tax credit funding was awarded through the new Commercial Driver’s License Training Program, which was created to help alleviate the cost of training for Ohio employers and CDL drivers and to upskill current and future employees in today’s high-demand economy.
“We want Ohioans and prospective residents alike to know that in Ohio, they can get the skills they need to get a good-paying job in a way that’s affordable and accessible to them,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “We’re helping employers fill worker shortages in addition to fostering a culture of innovation and giving employees the knowledge needed to operate modern commercial vehicles.”
A total of 60 companies across 36 counties were selected to receive funding for the credentialing of current and prospective employees. A total of $815,085.84 in tax credits will be provided to support training for approximately 1,300 CDL drivers.
In Trumbull County, Nick Strimbu Inc. and P. I. & I. Motor Express Inc. were each awarded $25,000. B&J Environmental Inc. was awarded $11,500, and the city of Niles will receive $1,500.
“Earning a Commercial Driver’s License opens the door to thousands of job opportunities, and we aim to make it as easy as possible to earn one in Ohio,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said. “Ohio is a manufacturing and logistics state, and our economy needs a workforce with CDLs to move Ohio-made products to customers locally and from coast to coast.”
Employers of all sizes and industries who are registered to do business in Ohio and employ Ohio resident W-2 employees are eligible for the program. Employers can earn tax credits for half of approved training costs, up to $25,000 in tax credits.
“We see the importance of this program through our list of grantees,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Almost every part of our lives has a need for transportation, from trucking to small businesses to schools. It’s imperative that our employees have the skills to get where they’re going safely.”
The CDL Training Program was established in Ohio House Bill 66 in the 134th Ohio General Assembly. Applications will be released once annually, for calendar years 2023 through 2026. Interested applicants can sign up HERE to be notified of future rounds.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
