New Funding for Massachusetts to Serve the State’s Manufacturers
October 7, 2016 | NISTEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
As part of a multiyear effort to make the most of its federal investment in U.S. manufacturing, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded a new cooperative agreement for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Inc. (MassMEP), will receive approximately $2,467,879 for each year during the 5-year agreement to work with partners at the state and federal levels to help small and medium-sized manufacturers develop new customers, expand into new markets and create new products. NIST funding beyond year one is subject to the availability of annual appropriations and successful annual reviews.
“This award represents a great opportunity for smaller manufacturers in Massachusetts,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Willie E. May. “It will allow the center to offer a greater variety of services and reach out to more companies who could benefit from the expertise of the MEP system.”
The center will pursue new initiatives, such as placing “experts in residence” at incubators and tech acceleration centers, including the University of Massachusetts, to provide growth services and accelerate jobs. Using the Enterprise Massachusetts Network, an effort launched in 2012 with an MEP grant to build business-to-business networks, MassMEP will expand its reach and capabilities to provide domestic and international business opportunities for the state’s manufacturers. In addition, it will pursue new partnerships with three Manufacturing USA Institutes: AIM Photonics (link is external), Nextflex (link is external) and Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (link is external).
“The award is part of MEP’s ongoing competition process to review and reset funding in each of the 50 states and Puerto Rico,” said Carroll Thomas, NIST MEP director. “It will better position Massachusetts MEP to meet the needs of and reach more of the manufacturers in the state.”
MassMEP’s proposal was reviewed by government and independent experts and evaluated against a number of criteria, including demonstration of a thorough understanding of market needs and how proposed service offerings would meet those needs. The reviewers also looked at the proposed business models, performance measurements and metrics, partnership potential, staff qualifications and program management, as well as financial and nonfederal cost-share plans.
For every dollar of federal investment, MEP clients generate nearly $17 in new sales, which translates into $2.3 billion in new sales annually. And for every $1,900 of federal investment, MEP creates or retains one U.S. manufacturing job. Since 1988, MEP has worked with more than 86,000 manufacturers, leading to $96.4 billion in sales and $15.7 billion in cost savings, and it has helped create nearly 800,000 jobs.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
04/19/2024 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineFor my must-read picks of the week, I’m highlighting Parker Capers, a young professional seeking employment, solid counsel from Dan Beaulieu on what your post-show plan should look like, more information and insight on “chiplets” and the need for secure data transfer standards from columnist Preeya Kuray, as well as Matt Stevenson’s design for reality wisdom. It’s a reminder to download one of our newest books (there are several) you don't want to miss if you are an assembler.
Absolute EMS Champions Collaboration Between Humans and Robots in Modern Manufacturing
04/19/2024 | Absolute EMS, Inc.Absolute EMS, Inc., an award-winning EMS provider of turnkey contract manufacturing services, offers a perfect factory environment that seamlessly blends robotic automation with human expertise.
ZESTRON Welcomes Whitlock Associates as New Addition to their Existing Rep Team in Florida
04/19/2024 | ZESTRONZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, is thrilled to announce the addition of Whitlock Associates to its esteemed network of sales representatives.
SEMI Applauds U.S. Chips Act Award for Samsung Electronics Facilities to Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Supply Chain
04/17/2024 | SEMISEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, applauded the United States Department of Commerce’s announcement of a Preliminary Memorandum of Terms for an award under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ presence in Texas and the company’s development and production of leading-edge chips.
Ark Electronics Expands Global Manufacturing Factory Network in North America and Europe
04/17/2024 | PRNewswireElectronic Manufacturing Company Ark Electronics recently announced the expansion of its Global Factory Network with the addition of Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) capabilities in Mexico and Europe.