As part of a multiyear effort to make the most of its federal investment in US 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 five-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.
 
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. In addition, it will pursue new partnerships with three Manufacturing USA Institutes: AIM Photonics, NextFlex and Advanced Functional Fabrics of America.
 
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.