Tech grad says thanks by giving rig to school

Despite the still-faltering economy, the trucking industry is beginning to revive and companies are again hiring drivers.

Even as the industry slumped along with the manufacturing sector, the demand for Greenville Technical College's truck driving program increased as workers were laid off or feared losing a job, said James Bailey, program manager.

"You can have a very nice career in trucking," said Joe Price, who graduated from Greenville Tech's truck driving course and became an owner-operator of his own rig. "You see great scenery. You meet nice people."

Since Price, 49, has decided to give up truck driving for family reasons, he donated his 378 Peterbilt truck tractor along with a 53-foot dry van trailer to the college's training program.

"It is gratifying to see a graduate who gained the skills and knowledge to make a good living for himself now being generous enough to see that others receive excellent preparation for a trucking career," Bailey said. With the gift, the program has 16 tractors and 26 trailers.