Dead River Company Donates Heavy-Duty Trucks to Support Commercial Driver Training at Northern Maine Community College

Dead River Company, northern New England's largest home heating provider, recently donated two heavy-duty trucks to Northern Maine Community College's (NMCC) commercial driving academy, further strengthening the company's longstanding support for workforce development across Maine.

The latest contribution brings the total number of vehicles Dead River Company has donated to the Maine Community College System to 20 since 2011. In 2011, the company donated 11 trucks valued at $100,000 to benefit students enrolled in diesel truck and heavy equipment programs at Eastern Maine Community College, Northern Maine Community College and Washington County Community College.

"This donation marks the nineteenth and twentieth trucks that Dead River Company has donated in the past 15 years," said Tracy Thibodeaux, director of human resources.

"There continues to be a shortage of commercial drivers throughout Maine and the country, and this gift demonstrates our continued commitment to developing Maine's workforce and supporting relevant programming at our community colleges around the state."

In 2018, Dead River Company provided an additional five heavy-duty trucks to support the launch of a new commercial driver training center at Eastern Maine Community College. Most recently, in 2023, the company donated two Volvo semi-trucks to Eastern Maine Community College.

"We greatly appreciate Dead River's continued support of our efforts to provide and expand CDL driver education and training opportunities at Northern Maine Community College," said Dan Belyea, chief workforce development officer for the Maine Community College System.

"Their partnership plays an important role in helping us strengthen the regional workforce and ensure that individuals have access to high-quality training that leads to in-demand careers. By investing in these programs, Dead River is helping to address the growing need for qualified CDL drivers while also creating meaningful opportunities for residents and supporting the economic vitality of communities across northern Maine."

Nathan Kinney, CDL driver training specialist, and Dennis Dyer, commercial driving academy coordinator, represented Northern Maine Community College during a visit to Dead River Company's Bucksport location on Feb. 19, 2026, to take possession of the trucks and complete the necessary paperwork to formalize the donation.

"NMCC is grateful to Dead River Company for this generous donation and for its continued partnership in supporting workforce training initiatives in Aroostook County," said Doug Binsfeld, president of Northern Maine Community College. "This investment enhances hands-on learning opportunities for students in our CDL training and diesel hydraulics technology programs and helps address the ongoing need for skilled professionals in Maine's transportation and trades sectors."

Dead River Company has maintained a strong partnership with Maine's community colleges for more than a decade, helping ensure students gain access to modern equipment and hands-on training opportunities that prepare them for in-demand careers in transportation and skilled trades.