AWC receives funding to help small businesses in Yuma grow

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Arizona Western College (AWC) received funding to help small businesses grow and boost the local workforce.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) presented a Manufacturing America Workforce Grant of $5 million to AWC.

"Our team went to every single application and this was one that rose to the top," said Lisa Shimkat, Associate Administrator of Field Operations for SBA. "It talks about partnerships, commitment to the community, working with manufacturers and having a strong diverse existing programs out there, whether it is semi-conductors to welding, etc."

AWC's goal is to train the local workforce and help companies work with bigger manufacturers across Arizona.

"The goal is to meet at least 50 manufacturers companies' needs in southwest Arizona and then at least 25 of them should be a start-up companies," said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, President of AWC.

AWC was the only community college in Arizona to receive the grant.