Rep. Lofgren Introduces American Innovation in Manufacturing Act

October 6, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren introduced the American Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Act which temporarily reduces the cost share requirement for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, the only Federal program that is solely devoted to improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers. MEP was created in 1988 and is administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its goal is to enhance productivity, technological performance, and strengthen the global competitiveness of small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturing firms.  

MEP consists of a nationwide network of 60 Centers – at least one in every state – and over 370 field offices. MEP is a public/private partnership that delivers a high return on investment to taxpayers. For every one dollar of federal investment, MEP generates $32 in new sales growth. This translates into $3.6 billion in new sales annually and in 2009 MEP clients reported creating & retaining 72,075 jobs. The AIM Act would set MEP cost share requirements at 50:50 for a one year period, the same as all other economic development programs in the Commerce Department. Additional details on MEP are available at http://www.nist.gov/mep/ 

“To remain the leading player in the global economy, we must ensure that American manufactures have the tools they need to stay competitive, noted Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “Innovation is more than developing the latest gadget or gizmos, it’s also about finding better ways of building gadgets and gizmos.”  

Current Co-sponsors: Carnahan, Cicilline, DeFazio, Dingell, Filner, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Kaptur, LaTourette, Levin, Lujan, McGovern, Moore, Nadler, Pierluisi, Richardson, Tim Ryan, Welch 

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Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her ninth term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.