TUCSON, AZ (March 19, 2026)  – Governor Katie Hobbs joined Pima Community College, the Arizona Commerce Authority, City of Tucson, Pima County, and local industry leaders today to celebrate the grand opening of Pima Community College’s new Flexible Industry Training (FIT) Lab, a Future48 Workforce Accelerator, located in Tucson, Arizona. The FIT Lab is an innovative, advanced manufacturing training facility designed to meet the rapidly evolving workforce needs of Southern Arizona employers.

The event brought together Pima Community College leadership including Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Nasse; Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority; Tucson Mayor Regina Romero; Pima County, and industry leaders including American Battery Factory, showcasing PCC’s continued commitment to strengthening Arizona’s advanced manufacturing workforce through industry-driven training that is responsive, flexible, and aligned with real-world employer needs.

“Arizona’s growing economy is fueled by a skilled workforce,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “The newest Future48 Workforce Accelerator will expand workforce training opportunities, helping Arizonans gain advanced skills and build family-sustaining careers.”

“Southern Arizona’s economic future depends on our ability to prepare talent for rapidly changing industries,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Nasse, Chancellor of Pima Community College. “The FIT Lab gives Pima the ability to deliver flexible, market-driven training using the same advanced technologies found in advanced manufacturing. It furthers the College's position as the region’s leading provider of workforce development and strengthens Arizona’s competitiveness in advanced industry.”

Located in the Advanced Manufacturing Building at PCC’s downtown campus, the 10,000-square-foot FIT Lab was developed in partnership with the College’s Workforce Development division to provide hands-on training using the same advanced manufacturing equipment local employers rely on in their facilities.

“The FIT Lab will support Southern Arizona’s high-growth industries and represents an exciting addition to the Future48 Workforce Accelerator network,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We’re grateful to Governor Hobbs, Chancellor Nasse, and Pima Community College, and all of our partners for their continued leadership and collaboration.”

Pima Community College worked closely with the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) through Future48 Workforce Accelerator program to upgrade the new FIT Lab to meet industry needs. The new FIT Lab facility is supported by $3.2 million investment from the ACA. The strong partnership reflects a shared effort to expand innovative training opportunities and support Arizona’s growing advanced manufacturing sector.

“American Battery Factory is proud of our work with Pima Community College on its important effort to build and now complete the FIT Lab Training Center," said John Kem, President of ABF. “We look forward to working together going forward on workforce training programs for our highly technical manufacturing factory in Pima County.”  

The FIT Lab represents a new model of workforce education. Unlike traditional academic programs tied to a semester schedule, the facility offers customized training that can be delivered at any duration and on flexible schedules to meet employer demand. This structure allows companies to quickly train workers or prepare new employees as technologies continue to evolve.

Designed to remain adaptable, the FIT Lab will incorporate the most current equipment and tools used by local manufacturers, ensuring PCC keeps pace with industry upgrades and continues to serve as a regional leader in workforce development.

Through the FIT Lab, Pima Community College will provide employers with a professional training environment that supports both emerging talent and incumbent workers, reinforcing the College’s role as a key partner in regional economic development.

About the Future48 Workforce Accelerators
The Future48 Workforce Accelerators are a network of advanced training facilities established in partnership with local community colleges in Tucson, Kingman, Yuma, Phoenix, Apache Junction, Casa Grande, and Mesa. The Accelerators provide hands-on training to prepare Arizonans for high-tech careers in manufacturing, battery, semiconductor, aerospace and defense, and more.

Media Contacts

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

Justin Kree, Pima Community College, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.