Published July 9, 2026

The City of Dearborn, in partnership with the Arab American Women’s Business Council (AAWBC), will begin accepting applications for the fourth session of the Dearborn WORKS program through Aug. 1, 2026.

Dearborn WORKS serves as a workforce and entrepreneurship initiative for women in Dearborn seeking career growth or meaningful employment. The program is kicking off its fourth cohort in July 2026. The Dearborn WORKS Business Bootcamp receives support from the U.S. Department of Labor. Approximately 99 percent of the program ($653,851) is federally financed, while 1 percent ($6,000) comes from non-governmental sources, including support from the AAWBC.

Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud stated, “Dearborn's economy thrives on the ambitions of local entrepreneurs. We are proud to support women pursuing business goals with essential resources. Their success is vital to our city's economic strength and core values. With these additional resources, we can boost our commitment to economic inclusion, and celebrate women’s entrepreneurship and economic growth in the community.”

Participants are selected through a competitive application process, and will gain access to a variety of business services, including financial literacy education, professional development workshops, and an eight-week intensive business boot camp. The program also offers networking opportunities, workforce training connections, and post-program support to ensure long-term success.

The initiative is implemented by the AAWBC and the City of Dearborn’s Department of Economic Development.

To support the launch of new ventures, Dearborn WORKS graduates are eligible to apply for seed funding. These funds, managed by the AAWBC in accordance with City and Department of Labor regulations, help cover essential startup costs like legal fees, licensing, branding, data analytics, and digital marketing.

Applications are now open and can be found at Dearborn.gov/BusinessResources.

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