EDINBURG, Texas — The U.S. Small Business Administration has presented a $5 million federal grant check to the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a major investment designed to expand hands-on workforce training, accelerate AI adoption, and bolster small manufacturers across South Texas.
The ceremonial check presentation featured William Briggs, Deputy Administrator of the SBA, who joined federal and regional leaders, UTRGV officials, local elected representatives, and community stakeholders on the Edinburg campus to showcase the center’s high-tech capabilities in robotics, digital manufacturing, automation, and additive manufacturing.
Dr. Jianzhi (James) Li, inaugural director of the IAM and President’s Endowed Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, said the funding powers the institute’s broader EMPOWER-RGV initiative.
"EMPOWER-RGV is about turning investment into impact — building a highly skilled workforce, accelerating the adoption of AI and advanced manufacturing technologies, strengthening the competitiveness of small manufacturers, creating an American industry base in South Texas, and bringing new opportunities for communities in the Rio Grande Valley," Li told the RGG Business Journal.
Out of the $5 million award, Li explained that $3.5 million will be directed immediately toward acquiring industry-grade equipment for student and workforce development.
"We really want to use the money to continue acquiring industry-grade equipment for hands-on training of our students," Li said. "Not only college students, but also incubators working with small businesses, veterans, and job seekers looking for high-paying jobs in the high-tech and manufacturing industries."
The funding will support one-half-year and one-year certificate training programs while enabling the institute to recruit specialized technicians and trainers to operate advanced machinery.
Currently, the Edinburg facility directly supports around 75 dedicated research students annually — including 35 doctoral candidates, 25 master’s students, and 15 undergraduates — while engaging roughly 400 total students through internships and secondary school outreach. An additional 2,000 students participate each year in single-day exposure programs to explore career opportunities in artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
Addressing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence and shifting labor markets, Li emphasized that the center is focused on putting workers at the helm of modern technology rather than allowing them to be displaced by it.
"The impact of AI is going to be significant," Li said. "In the end, what we want to do here is make sure humans are on top of AI, not AI on top of us. We want to ensure the wealth created by AI is accessible to everyday Americans."
Li stressed that mastering digital manufacturing tools allows local small firms to remain agile and competitive against global supply chains.
"It’s about digital manufacturing and applying AI to advanced manufacturing," Li noted. "When you adopt these technologies, you make yourself more efficient, effective, and productive so we can compete against other countries and bring back our competitive edge."
A persistent challenge for the Rio Grande Valley has been retaining top engineering talent who often leave the region for career opportunities elsewhere. Li believes strengthening local small businesses is the key to reversing that trend.
"About 98 percent of businesses in the U.S. are small businesses, so we have to focus on small manufacturers," Li explained. "They are the primary force that hires our students and community members."
With major industrial operations expanding in South Texas — including SpaceX in Cameron County and Saronic’s new marine defense shipyard in Brownsville — Li says local suppliers must be prepared to step up so large corporations don't have to source components outside the region or overseas.
To accomplish this, the IAM serves as a testbed and launchpad where small firms can prototype components and integrate AI without risking interruptions to their ongoing operations.
As an example, Li cited recent work assisting local Army veteran James Sol Lane in prototyping a low-cost, modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
"He was trying to prototype a low-cost drone and couldn't find anyone to put it together," Li recalled. "We utilized our equipment to create modular components that fit together like Lego pieces. Our students learned design, integration, quality control, and AI, while helping a local startup move toward commercial viability."
While the primary facility currently operates in Edinburg, UTRGV plans to extend its manufacturing reach across the entire region.
"We are working with Brownsville so we can have another facility there in the future," Li revealed. "It takes time, but duplicating our efforts to cover as much of the Rio Grande Valley as possible is an exciting challenge."
Reflecting on the SBA visit and the federal investment, Li underscored his gratitude to Deputy Administrator Briggs and regional partners for placing their confidence in South Texas.
"What UTRGV and I care about most is creating lasting impact for the community we serve," Li said. "We want to provide more opportunities for our students, their families, and everyone in the Rio Grande Valley."
Dr. Jianzhi (James) Li brings over 20 years of academic, research, and technical leadership to his role as the inaugural director of the UTRGV Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) and holder of the President’s Endowed Professorship.
Academic History & Background
Industry & CTO Experience
Dr. Li has led research and development projects securing more than $50 million in grant funding across public federal programs and private industry sponsors.
