Carving the Path: SBWI’s $16.5 Million Enrollment Growth Project

Something extraordinary is taking shape in Michigan.

The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute (SBWI) has now raised $16.5 million toward the first phase of our long-term campus expansion—an incredible show of support from the State of Michigan, private donors, and community partners who believe in the power of craftsmanship.

This milestone isn’t just about building a campus—it’s about redefining what college education can be. For too long, skilled trades have been labeled an “alternative.” Working with your hands and creating with purpose is not an alternative—it’s foundational.

The Vision

The Enrollment Growth Project will expand SBWI’s capacity from 20 graduates per year to over 200, fueling Michigan’s growing demand for skilled woodworkers, furniture makers, timber framers, and preservation carpenters.

The new campus will include state-of-the-art workshops, student housing, design studios, and public exhibition spaces—all surrounded by trails and green space that celebrate the natural connection between people, wood, and place. Designed with mass timber construction, the facility itself will be a teaching tool—an inspiring example of the future of sustainable building.

A Community Investment

Every student who learns here contributes to the strength of our community. Our graduates go on to build furniture, restore historic landmarks, and design the spaces people live and work in. The growth of SBWI means new opportunity for Michigan and Lenawee County—more students, more small businesses, more economic vitality, and more pride in the trades that built America.

We are especially grateful to Representative Nancy Jenkins-Arno, whose leadership and advocacy were instrumental in securing the $12 million in state funding that made this project possible. Her belief in the value of hands-on education has given this vision a foundation to stand on. We also extend our deepest thanks to the S.L. Hickman Family Foundation, whose generous lead gift of $4 Million helped launch this campaign and inspired others to join in. Their faith in our mission continues to ripple outward, shaping opportunities for generations to come.

What’s Next? - We ask you to join us in providing a foundational career path

On December 1st, we’ll launch a public campaign to give everyone an opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking project. Whether you’re a craftsman, a supporter, or someone who simply believes in the dignity of work, this is your chance to help shape the future of hands-on education.

Thank you to every student, alumni, instructor, donor, and community member who made this moment possible. Together, we’re building more than a campus—we’re crafting the future.

Read about it in the Lenawee Voice.

Read the press release from State Representative Nancy Jenkins Arno