Oregon Metal Shop Goes From Garage to SBA Award Winner

Thomas Wall used to weld projects for family and friends in a cramped one-car garage. Now his company, Rebel Metalworks, has been named Oregon's 2026 Small Blue Collar Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The custom metal fabrication shop in The Dalles transformed from humble beginnings into a full-scale facility serving customers across the region. Co-owners Thomas and Sarah Wall credit their hometown for making the dream possible.

"Without them, there is no small business," Wall said about the community support that fueled their growth. The recognition during National Small Business Week honors businesses demonstrating exceptional growth, resilience, and local impact.

The company now offers custom metal fabrication, welding, and design services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Eight years of steady expansion proved that investing in skilled trades can create lasting success in rural communities.

Rebel Metalworks worked closely with the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center throughout their journey. The center provides free business advising, strategic planning, and financial guidance to help rural entrepreneurs thrive.

The Walls aren't stopping at this milestone. They're planning to invest in laser processing equipment and expand delivery capabilities to serve customers even better.

The Ripple Effect

This win highlights something bigger than one successful shop. As manufacturing and fabrication businesses strengthen local economies, Rebel Metalworks stands as proof that blue-collar businesses can flourish in small towns.

Gregory Price, Director of the CGCC Small Business Development Center, called the company "an incredible example of what can happen when hard work, innovation, and community support come together." Their story shows rural America's entrepreneurial spirit is alive and building.

The SBA award celebrates not just business metrics but the importance of investing in Oregon's skilled trades workforce. When communities rally behind local craftspeople, everyone wins.

From garage startup to award-winning fabrication company, Rebel Metalworks proves that supporting homegrown talent creates opportunities that ripple far beyond the shop floor.