WESST PRESS RELEASES
WESST Establishing New WBC in Hobbs, Awarded SBA Funding
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $26.5 million to create new Women’s Business Centers (WBC’s) and increase support of existing WBC’s across the country. WESST has been named one of the recipients, officially establishing our Hobbs office as a Women’s Business Center. Since 2021, WESST’s Hobbs office has served emerging and existing small business owners in Lea County in southeastern New Mexico. The funding and support provided by the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) will not only establish Hobbs as an SBA-designated WBC but allow for the regional office to expand and provide services for childcare entrepreneurs.
“We are stationing this Women’s Business Center in our existing Hobbs office, and we are also thrilled to include that the JF Maddox Foundation will also be supporting this project with a multi-year grant,” says Lindsey Kay, WESST President.
David Reed, Chief Operating Officer of the JF Maddox Foundation shared, “The JF Maddox Foundation is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with such a great partner in WESST. The Lea County economy is in a great position to continue to grow, and we believe WESST is one of several meaningful relationships that will get us there.”
This investment is the first time the SBA has awarded grants to provide specialized services for childcare enterprises, support government contracting efforts for women-owned business, and develop national virtual trainings for women across the country.
WESST is a home to entrepreneurs providing a support system of consulting, training, incubation, and lending to help New Mexicans strengthen and grow their small businesses through sustainable business models, financial empowerment, and job creation.
Like many communities across the U.S., New Mexico is currently facing a childcare crisis with 53% of New Mexico’s residents living in a severe deficit of childcare services. WESST is excited to offer our experience and expertise to continue building our state’s supply of quality childcare providers.