Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program: An Overview
Abstract
A program of regional centers to assist small and medium-sized manufacturing companies use knowledge and technologies developed under the auspices of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was created by P.L. 100-418. The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) has centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that provide technical and managerial assistance to firms. Federal funding is matched by non-federal sources. Funding increased until FY1999, when support declined reflecting a decrease in the federal portion of financing from one-half to one-third as individual centers operated longer than six years. Through FY2004, funding remained fairly constant despite the Administration's FY2003 budget that proposed an 88% reduction in support such that MEP centers "with more than six years' experience operate without federal contribution." Financing was cut 63% in FY2004, but restored in FY2005. The President's FY2006, FY2007, and FY2008 budgets again proposed funding reductions; however in FY2006 MEP received $104.6 million, $104.6 million in FY2007, and $89.6 million in FY2008 (14.4% less than the FY2007 figure). The President's FY2009 budget request (as amended) includes $2 million to close out the federally funded portion of the program. The FY2009 appropriations bill ordered reported from the House Committee on Appropriations would fund MEP at $122 million, while S. 3182, as reported from the Senate Committee on Appropriations, would provide $110 million. P.L. 110-69, the America COMPETES Act, authorizes funding for MEP through 2010 and creates several new manufacturing R&D programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA496480
Entities
People
- Wendy H. Schacht
Organizations
- Library of Congress