Mar 2 2015
Job creation is one of the hottest topics in this economy, but often, positive numbers cited can be distortions and may not reflect good paying, full-time career paths. The Village of Glenwood, KLLM Trucking and Prairie State College announces a partnership that will create nearly 700 long-term, skilled jobs every year for families across the Midwest.
Before year's end, KLLM will break ground on twelve acres of land along Glenwood Road near Landauer's international corporate office to build a large-scale truck driving training facility, complete with student residential dorms and administrative and dispatch offices. This nearly 40,000 sq. ft. campus concept has been successful in Texas and other states. This facility won't just create jobs in Chicagoland; KLLM will recruit candidates from across the Midwest to train in Glenwood.
"Candidates will train for three weeks in the classroom on truck operation and mechanics, then spend eight to nine weeks on the road with an experienced driver for 'real life' training," said Glenwood's Mayor Kerry Durkin. "At the student's one-year anniversary of employment with KLLM, their educational debt is completely forgiven and they have a viable career to support their families."
Because of Glenwood's aggressive use of incentives and tax abatement programs, KLLM was able to move very quickly in making Glenwood its home. "Our Board of Trustees had everything ready to go. We presented a previously approved incentive package and we had a deal immediately."
Prairie State College is excited about exploring partnership opportunities with KLLM. “We are looking forward to discussing the opportunities to work with KLLM Trucking. Working together with KLLM and Glenwood will benefit our students, our district residents and the Chicago Southland,” said Craig Schmidt, Prairie State College Vice President of Community and Economic Development.
Durkin stated, "KLLM is providing solid, long-term careers for thousands of Americans and we are pleased that Glenwood will be their home."
Durkin understands what it takes to make projects like this happen. "Tax programs are already discussed and approved for land that is subject to development or redevelopment. When an interested business approaches us, we can give an appropriate project the go-ahead almost immediately. Glenwood is shovel-ready."
Source: http://www.villageofglenwood.com/