WASHINGTON D.C. – Senate Task Force on Manufacturing Co-Chair Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), and Senators Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), Joseph I. Lieberman (ID-Conn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), today introduced legislation to drastically reduce the cost share burden that Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers face. 

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a public-private network of centers that assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in expanding operations, becoming leaner, increasing sales, and creating jobs.  Today, MEP centers currently must provide two-thirds of their annual funding after four years of operation, by raising funds from state governments, private organizations, and colleges and universities.  The National Institute of Standards and Technology at the Department of Commerce, which oversees the MEP program, provides one-third of the centers’ funding.  This legislation will reduce the MEP centers’ cost share to 50 percent of funding for all years of operation.

“As the harsh economy is making it increasingly difficult for MEP centers to solicit adequate contributions to meet their cost share requirement, we must bolster our assistance,” said Senator Snowe, who also serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.  “Of the 80 programs that the Department of Commerce funds, the MEP is the only initiative with a statutory cost share requirement above 50 percent.  This bill will give MEP centers much-needed relief so that they may focus on providing counseling and training services to the small and medium manufacturers that are struggling to grow.”

“The MEP program has proven effective in helping small and medium sized business compete in these hard economic times,” said Senator Kohl.  “I have been a longtime proponent of this program which has helped improve manufacturing and sustain jobs. The change in cost-sharing requirements will allow this program to continue to thrive and help companies compete on a national and global scale.”

“MEP centers across our state help spur innovation, keep our manufacturers competitive, and help keep the economy strong with thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs,” said Senator Stabenow.  “In this tough economic climate, making sure we properly fund these centers is a critical way to create jobs.”

“In tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to invest in American manufacturing,” said Senator Brown.  “The Manufacturing Extension program provides a lifeline to Ohio manufacturers.  By strengthening this program, we can boost productivity and create new jobs.  Given the right resources, American manufacturers can and will compete with anyone in the global market.”