Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia recently donated $50,000 to the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation to support students throughout Georgia’s technical colleges. A portion of the funds will serve as the inaugural gift to the newly-established “Last Mile Fund,” which will directly impact student achievement and retention within TCSG. The Last Mile Fund aims to increase the number of graduates and improve student retention rates.

“With the Last Mile Fund, we can provide much-needed support to students who would otherwise not be able to continue their educational goals due to financial barriers,” said TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin. “This fund will help us implement Governor Deal’s goal to provide talented individuals for Georgia’s workforce. We are very grateful for KMMG’s investment.”

“Great partners like the Technical College System of Georgia are a big part of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia’s success,” said Stuart C. Countess, Chief Administrative Officer for KMMG. “We have seen first-hand the tremendous impact a technical college education can have on a student’s life, not to mention the advanced skills that student then brings to industries like ours.”

In addition to contributing to the Last Mile Fund, a portion of the donation will support the Georgia Occupational Award for Leadership Program. GOAL celebrates technical college students’ excellence in technical education and outstanding personal achievement. A panel of judges selects one student from each of Georgia’s 22 technical colleges to serve as the statewide ambassador for technical education.