WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Herb Kohl announced the Fiscal Year 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill passed the Senate yesterday and provides $128,443,000 for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. The MEP has enabled Wisconsin manufacturers to remain competitive, cut production costs, and retain and create jobs. Although the overall CJS budget was cut by $583 million from last year, the MEP was funded at the same level as Fiscal Year 2011. The CJS Appropriations bill has now passed the House and the Senate and was sent to the President for his signature.   

"This appropriations bill is a first step in responsibly reducing federal spending.  We had to make tough choices, but I'm pleased that we were able to preserve important programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership," Kohl said.  "Although there has been disagreement recently over different jobs proposals, Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate agree that the MEP is a common sense investment.  Supporting small businesses and the manufacturing sector is essential to improving the economy.  In Wisconsin and across the nation, this funding will continue to create and sustain good paying jobs."   

In June, Senator Kohl led a bipartisan effort to continue funding for the MEP program in the Fiscal Year 2012 CJS Appropriations bill. A total of 32 senators signed Kohl's letter to the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee supporting the MEP program.  MEP centers help employers upgrade their technology, streamline production processes, eliminate cost inefficiencies and train workers to adapt to evolving technologies. Senator Kohl was joined by Senators Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in the effort.

Kohl has long championed the MEP program for its success in ensuring major Wisconsin employers can remain competitive. Wisconsin is home to two MEP Centers.  According to the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, companies that worked with the two centers during the twelve month period ending in June 2011 were able to save or create more than 1,300 jobs, generate $102 million in sales, make $37 million in new investments, and produce more than $20 million in cost savings.