McAllen, TX (KRGV) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley received a $5 million federal grant to launch a new manufacturing training program.

The grant is one of only 11 awarded nationwide by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program is called Empower-RGV and classes are free and start in the spring.

The funding will help train 250 workers and at least 50 small manufacturers in the Valley. Many of those manufacturers can't afford the equipment on their own.

"We really try to utilize the industry great equipment we have here, which is also used for research," Director of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing for UTRGV Jianzhi Li said. "Look at the equipment we have in this lab, is about $4 million, you know, assets. The small firm, either, they don't have that financial means to acquire advanced technology, advanced equipment so we are here to help them."

The funding will also support the creation of 50 new jobs in the region.