The U.S. Department of Commerce has decided to discontinue funding for 10 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) programs, a move that affects small and medium-sized manufacturers across several states. The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), which oversees the MEP network, informed the impacted centers last week that their contracts would not be renewed after they expire in late March.
The MEP program has been a vital resource for U.S. manufacturers, providing support for operational improvements and growth. The funding cut impacts MEP centers in the following states: Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership plays a critical role in helping manufacturers by offering services like process improvements, innovation, and workforce development. The Wisconsin MEP Network, which includes the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) and the Manufacturing Outreach Center at UW-Stout, is one of the most successful examples, generating over $2.5 billion in impact and supporting the creation or retention of nearly 4,000 jobs. The network has also assisted hundreds of manufacturers through direct engagements, webinars, and information sessions.
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In fiscal year 2024, the MEP network, which operates 51 centers across the U.S., helped manufacturers secure $15 billion in new or retained sales and achieved $2.6 billion in cost savings. Additionally, the program was instrumental in creating or retaining over 108,000 jobs.
A key feature of the MEP program is its funding structure, which involves a one-to-one match between federal funding and revenue from other sources, including state and local partners. For example, in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation provides strategic funding and ensures manufacturers contribute to the program to maximize project results.
In March, Congress appropriated $175 million for the MEP program, a decision signed into law by President Trump. The program’s contract renewal cycle continues with four remaining deadlines: July 1, 2025; October 1, 2025; January 1, 2026; and March 12, 2026, as noted by the House Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
The future of the MEP program remains uncertain as additional centers face potential cuts or contract expirations in the coming years.
