The Trump administration has announced that it will not renew contracts for 10 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) programs, pulling millions of dollars in federal funding that small and mid-sized manufacturers rely on to support their operations. This decision marks the first step in potentially cutting funding to the entire national MEP network.
The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) manages the nationwide program, which is operated by state agencies, often universities. The decision affects 10 states, with contract cancellations occurring at the end of March, and contracts in the remaining states expiring in 2025 and 2026.
MEP programs have been instrumental in helping small and mid-sized manufacturers scale up their businesses, with NIST estimating that they saved $2.6 billion for manufacturers in 2024, generated $5 billion in manufacturing investments, and created or retained 108,000 jobs.
Industry leaders are criticizing the decision, saying it will hinder efforts to “reshore” American manufacturing. David Vasko, a retired Rockwell Automation executive and member of NIST’s MEP Advisory Board, warned that cutting funding could lead to program closures and reduced services.
The decision comes as President Trump has made reshoring American manufacturing a priority, although this is not his first attempt to cut funding for the program. Congressional Democrats are also blasting the move, arguing that the president lacks authority to rescind funding that Congress had already allocated.
Source: https://www.industryweek.com/leadership/news/55280007/manufacturing-extension-partnerships-face-uncertain-future-as-trump-pulls-funding