Published on July 07, 2026
Franklin County Board of Commissioners I Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
More than 500 Franklin County residents have already trained for commercial driving careers through a county-backed program that its CEO calls a bridge to the middle class.
The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously July 7 to approve Resolution 0472-26, a $1.1 million subaward agreement with Roads2Work, Inc. for the Roads2Work Franklin County Commercial Driver Training Program. The program prepares underserved residents for immediate employment as Class A commercial drivers. Graduates working in the field earn an average annual salary of $56,000, with employer-provided benefits.
With this award, Roads2Work plans to enroll 125 more Franklin County residents. Participants receive career readiness training and commercial driver's license instruction, along with holistic support services and direct connections to local, regional, and national transportation employers. The program anticipates 80 percent of graduates will earn their CDL and find employment.
Richard Crockett, President and CEO of Roads2Work Inc., told commissioners the program provides truly livable wages for people who are unemployed, underemployed, or returning from incarceration. He said it offers a bridge back to the community in six to seven weeks of training, combining soft skills, financial literacy, and CDL certification into a path toward a living wage.
Carmen Barnes, Chief Operating Officer of Job and Family Services, presented the item. The subaward supports Goal 3 of the Rise Together Blueprint: increasing access to training for credentials that meet local demand, backed by employer commitments to hire.
Session Date: July 7, 2026
Resolution: Res. 0472-26
Vote: Passed unanimously