About Us

About Us

Arizona Western College’s (AWC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serves small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Yuma and La Paz Counties. Between Yuma and La Paz County, AWC SBDC services a vast area of 10,037 sq. miles (Yuma 5,519 sq. mi; La Paz 4,518 sq. mi). Both counties are located in the sunny Southwestern region of Arizona and contain beautiful landscapes along the Colorado River. This region is a natural magnet for businesses as both areas provide a low cost of doing business and the geographically advantageous benefits of immediate access to both the California and Mexico markets. Some vital regional industries and economic assets include agriculture, military, tourism, and manufacturing. 

We typically conduct business counseling sessions at the AWC Reskilling and Technology Campus in Yuma, AZ. The Small Business Development Center has made aggressive steps to catalyze minority-owned small businesses. It has expanded its reach by holding walk-in counseling sessions at all rural locations and scheduling bilingual counselors. Furthermore, the center has enhanced its online delivery of business counseling via Zoom.

Counselors are available in person at the following locations:

• Yuma Library Main Branch
• Somerton City Hall
• Wellton Library
• San Luis Branch Library
• AWC Yuma Campus Library
• AWC Parker Learning Center
• AWC Quartzsite Campus
• Quechan Business Development Center

We are proud to assist and support the entrepreneurs we serve; accordingly, SBDC has developed a series of workshops in collaboration with local leadership to service the unique needs of each municipality. Some of the topics presented include, but are not limited to, business planning, business licensing, marketing, youth entrepreneurship, skills training workshops, financing, and more.