News
Arizona Western College receives $5 million grant through Small Business Administration
August 6, 2026Funding will support training for small manufacturers throughout Southwest Arizona
Yuma, Ariz. (August 6, 2026) – Arizona Western College has been announced as the recipient of a $5 million grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The college is one of 11 organizations nationwide to be selected as part of the $50 million Manufacturing in America E2G Grant Initiative which invests in existing technical education programs to train small manufacturers and strengthen the nation’s manufacturing industry.
“Manufacturing has always been about building something that lasts,” said AWC president Dr. Reetika Dhawan. “Through this investment, we are not only strengthening small manufacturers, we are building careers, creating opportunities, and fueling innovation that will shape the future of our communities. At AWC, we are proud to stand alongside industry as a trusted partner in preparing the workforce and businesses that will power America's next generation of manufacturing.”
The proposed budget will support AWC’s established manufacturing training models, including the Wellton Manufacturing Training Center and the Manufacturing Business and Automation Accelerator (MBAA), which provides hands-on manufacturing training and comprehensive business advisement to small manufacturers and startups across Southwest Arizona.
“This award represents a strategic investment in the future of manufacturing, workforce development, and economic growth throughout Yuma and La Paz Counties,” said Dr. Shadi Kilani, Executive Vice President of the Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College. “AWC has spent years building the partnerships, expertise, and infrastructure necessary to support manufacturers at every stage of growth. This funding allows us to accelerate that work by combining hands-on technical training, business assistance, and workforce solutions that help companies innovate, expand, and create high-quality jobs throughout the region.”
Through the program, eligible U.S. small businesses will receive a comprehensive package of free courses, practical workshops, and one-on-one advising designed to expand their operations, workforce, regulatory compliance, and competitiveness in government contracting.
“AWC plays a critical role in workforce development for manufacturing by providing hands-on career and technical education in advanced manufacturing,” said SBA Pacific Regional Administrator Steven Snow. “By partnering with institutions like AWC, the SBA is delivering real results and investing in the next generation of America’s manufacturing workforce, strengthening our capacity to produce American-made products and supporting jobs here at home.”
More information about the SBA grant initiative can be found here.
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About the Empower to Grow Program:
The Empower to Grow program, formerly known as 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program, provides eligible U.S. small businesses with free business courses, tailored training, and one-on-one consulting to support their growth, operations, hiring, regulatory compliance, and government contracting competitiveness. The Empower to Grow program uplifts businesses to be procurement ready for federal, state, and local government contracts. For more questions about the Empower to Grow program, visit: Empower to Grow Program.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration:
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.