Two Community Colleges come together to receive an impactful grant

Today Accelerate Mississippi announced their grant to support the Utility Lineman Program at Meridian Community College and East Central Community College. We learn from the Presidents of the Community Colleges what the grants mean for the program.

“Well, we're excited. We received a very large grant for our utility line workers program, and it's in partnership with east central community college. And we couldn't be more proud. I mean, we have a great relationship with them. Working together is going to be able to help us to make some significant impact in our community here. So it's a big deal,” said Tom Huebner President of Meridian Community College.

Accelerate Mississippi awarded both colleges a grant for $1.4 million that will be used to expand the school’s Utility Lineman Workers Program.

Brent Gregory President of East Central Community College said, “The main goal will be to increase the number of utility linemen that we were able to produce within this area. This is a program we see a high level of success, 100% completion rate in terms of job creation.”

Caden Null a lineman in training says this is something that he has wanted to do since he was a young boy.

“It feels good trying to you know achieve a dream being a lineman it helps out having it right here at the house,” said Null.

With Meridian Community College offering the program many students are happy that they can complete the program without leaving home.

“Having it at MCC it helps a lot of people MCC is a very central location to help students get ready for their careers and whenever they leave MCC they are ready.” Said Christopher Edwards a lineman in training.

The lineman program takes about 16 weeks for completion and also incorporates students getting their CDL licenses so they will be ready for hire right after completion.