Manufacturing at NIST: Positioned for Growth

1

Manufacturing a Key Priority: 

Expand MEP and Manufacturing USA

• Executive Orders call for more Federal purchases to be Made in America (EO 14005) and shoring up America’s key 

supply chains (EO 14017).

• National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 – authorizes Manufacturing USA institute on semiconductor 

manufacturing, calls for NIST analysis of potential MEP national supply chain database. 

• American Rescue Plan appropriated $150M to NIST for Manufacturing USA Pandemic Response Projects.

• Administration has proposed to increase FY22 MEP investment to $275M and Manufacturing USA to $166M.

• American Jobs Plan and the President’s Budget Request call for long-term investment increases in manufacturing at 

NIST, including $7B for MEP and $3B for Manufacturing USA. 
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program’s 

Planned Expansion: Why and How We Will Grow

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Challenge/Need 

• U.S. manufacturing is critical to the nation’s economic recovery.

• The president has proposed historic levels of infrastructure investment.

MEP Role

• Increase capabilities to respond to manufacturing needs (EO 14007). 

• Identify initiatives for recruiting and retaining workers.

• Initiate a national supply chain initiative (EO 14005). 

• Create Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities.

Impact

• More manufacturers will 

receive critical assistance.

• MEP Centers can provide 

expanded services.

• MEP will lead the way to 

building a new manufacturing 

ecosystem.
Increase Core Funding to MEP Centers at Least 25%

2

Challenge/Need 

• MEP Centers lack resources to serve all the needs of all manufacturers. 

• Proposed infrastructure investment demands greater U.S. manufacturing.

MEP Role

• Provide direct support that better enables manufacturers. 

• Enable MEP Centers to deliver more diverse and comprehensive services.

• More effectively partner with and leverage other key stakeholders.

Impact

• MEP Centers will provide 

services to at least 25% more 

manufacturers.

• More materials and products 

will be made in the U.S. 

• U.S. manufacturing economy will 

be stronger and more resilient.

With 30+ years serving small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs), MEP is positioned to unlock the economic potential of manufacturing.
MEP National Workforce Development Initiative

3

Challenge/Need 

• As many as 2.1M manufacturing jobs will be unfilled through 2030.

• U.S. could have more than 2.1M unfilled without strong action.

• Worker shortage could cost the U.S. economy up to $1 trillion by 2030.

• Systems and resources that can support manufacturers are often not connected.

• Unemployed and under-employed workers can help grow the industry.

• Recruiting this untapped talent pool requires addressing systemic barriers.

MEP Role

• MEP Centers will help manufacturers attract a new workforce to manufacturing.

• MEP Centers will upskill the workforce – focus on women and underrepresented groups. 

Impact

• Increase in manufacturers 

with upskilling programs.

• Increase manufacturing 

companies on “Best 

Places to Work” list.

• Increase women and 

people of color in 

manufacturing jobs.

1. 2021 study published by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute.
MEP National Supply Chain Initiative

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Challenge/Need 

• Pandemic emphasized U.S. dependence on global supply chains for goods. 

• Significant U.S. domestic manufacturing base gaps exist.

MEP Role

• Partner with federal agencies and private top-of-supply chain entities to 

identify supply chain gaps in support of EO 14005.

• Expand MEP National Supplier Scouting in support of EO 14017.

• Assist individual U.S. manufacturers to become more resilient.

Impact

• Key products and critical technologies 

(EO 14017) will be more effectively and 

comprehensively sourced domestically.

• U.S. supply chains will be more 

resilient:

 More robust domestic supply 

strategies.

 More visibility into lower tiers. 

 Increased diversification of 

manufacturers’ customers and 

markets.

 Improved risk management. 

 Improved manufacturer 

operational agility.
MEP Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities

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Challenge/Need 

• U.S. Manufacturing: 11.4% U.S. economic output, employing >8.5% of the workforce.[1]

• Nearly 99% of all U.S. manufacturing establishments <500 employees; ~91% have <100 

employees. SMMs employ ~71% of domestic manufacturing workforce.[2]

• SMM technical sophistication lags that of large companies.

• SMMs need assistance to bridge the gap between their state of practice and the state of 

the art available in supply chains for key products and critical technologies (EO 14017) . 

MEP Role

• Establish Manufacturing Technology Demonstration Facilities that implement critical 

technologies to make key products (EO 14017).

• Expand the MEP Assisted Technology and Technical Resource (MATTR) service.

Impact

• Higher technology adoption by 

SMMs for key products and 

technologies (EO 14017) such as: 

 Industry 4.0, AI, IIoT, additive 

manufacturing

 Advanced materials

 Broadband technology

 Cybersecurity

 Semiconductors

 Food 

 Medical equipment / supplies

• More technically skilled workers.

• Increased SMM productivity.