[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46479-46480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23364]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Advisory Board

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 
2, notice is hereby given that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 
(MEP) National Advisory Board, National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST), will meet to hold its first meeting on Friday, 
September 26, 1997. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership National 
Advisory Board is composed of 9 members appointed by the Director of 
NIST who were selected for their expertise in the area of industrial 
extension and their work on behalf of smaller manufacturers. The Board 
was set up under the direction of the Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology to fill a need for outside input 
and advice for MEP, a unique program consisting of centers in all 50 
states and Puerto Rico which are created by a state, federal and local 
partnership. The Board will work closely with the Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership to provide input and advice on MEP's programs, 
plans and policies. The purpose of this initial meeting is to provide 
an overview of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership,

[[Page 46480]]

discuss the role the Board will fill and set the framework for future 
meetings of the Board. On September 26, 1997, the agenda for this first 
meeting of the Board will include an overview of MEP to include 
manufacturing extension centers' current activities, impacts of 
services provided and future goals of centers.

DATES: The meeting will convene on September 26, 1997 at 9:00 am and 
will adjourn at 3:00 pm.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Building 301, Room C-145 
(seating capacity 45, includes 15 participants), at NIST, Gaithersburg, 
Maryland.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MEP services to smaller manufacturers 
address the needs of the national market as well as the unique needs of 
each company. Since MEP is committed to providing this type of 
individualized service through its centers, the program requires the 
perspective of locally-based experts to be incorporated into its 
national plans. The MEP National Advisory Board was set up at the 
direction of the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology to maintain MEP's focus on local and market based needs. The 
NEP National Advisory Board was approved on October 24, 1996, in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app.2., to 
provide advice on MEP programs, plans, and policies; assess soundness 
of MEP plans and strategies; assess current performance against MEP 
program plans, and function in an advisory capacity. The Board will 
meet three times a year and reports to the Director of NIST. This will 
be the first meeting of the members.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Acierto, Assistant to the Director for Policy, Manufacturing 
Extension Partnership, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899, telephone number (301) 975-5033.

    Dated: August 21, 1997.
Elaine Bunten-Mines,
Director, Program Office.
[FR Doc. 97-23364 Filed 9-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M