Georgia Piedmont Technical College Inaugurates Major Regional Transportation Training Center in DeKalb County
LITHONIA, Ga. — January 7, 2026 — Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) officially inaugurated its new Regional Transportation Training Center on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by college leadership, trustees, community and corporate partners, as well as local, state, and federal officials.
The new facility enhances GPTC’s ability to provide hands-on, career-oriented training in transportation-related disciplines, including Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and logistics programs. This expansion strengthens workforce pathways for residents of DeKalb, Newton, and Rockdale counties.
“Belief is a powerful thing,” said Dr. Tavarez Holston, President of Georgia Piedmont Technical College, during his remarks. “This Regional Transportation Training Center represents our mission—workforce development—in action. Everything we do is focused on preparing people for meaningful careers that strengthen our communities and drive our economy forward.”
The Regional Transportation Training Center, now the largest facility of its kind on the East Coast, is projected to serve approximately 800 students per semester. The Center offers accessible pathways into high-demand careers that support essential infrastructure and regional economic growth.
Speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Greg Dozier, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia; State Senator Emanuel Jones; Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County Government; and Jazzmine Cobble, Mayor of the City of Stonecrest.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the facility welcomed community members for tours and on-site registration. Corporate partners, including Georgia Power, Amazon, and Radius Recycling, participated throughout the event, demonstrating the strength of employer partnerships within GPTC’s programs. Attendees heard directly from faculty and students, whose experiences emphasized the significance and impact of GPTC's work in the community. Their testimonials highlighted the Center’s early successes and the importance of continued investment in workforce education for the region.
During the event, Georgia Power announced a $100,000 contribution to Georgia Piedmont Technical College to support the development of a new lineworker training yard at the Regional Transportation Training Center. This new training space will increase instructional capacity for electric lineworker education and further enhance pathways into utility careers.
Georgia Power and Amazon maintained a significant presence during the event, providing demonstrations and information about career pathways while engaging directly with students and community members.
The Regional Transportation Training Center represents a substantial public-private investment in workforce readiness, supported by funding from the State of Georgia, DeKalb County, Congress, the City of Stonecrest, and private industry partners. Collectively, these investments enabled the Center’s development and demonstrate ongoing support for workforce training in the region.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College serves more than 4,400 students annually and reports a job placement rate exceeding 98 percent, underscoring its commitment to outcomes-focused technical education.
For additional information about programs available at the Regional Transportation Training Center, visit gptc.edu.