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 Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    
      
  ABOUT NIST MEP
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                      Integrating Cybersecurity With Industry 4.0 – What It Means for Manufacturing
                      Training: Responding to the Skills Gap
                      8 Key Drivers of The Job Quality Toolkit
                      Reshoring and the Pandemic: Bringing Manufacturing Back to America
                      Manufacturing Myths – Debunked!
                      Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing: Manufacturing USA and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership
                      The Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry
                      The Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain
                      The National Economic Impact of the MEP Program Fiscal Year 2019
                      What Cobots Can Do for Your Business
                      30 Years of Advancing U.S. Manufacturing: The MEP National Network
                      How Secure is Your Factory Floor?
                      Manufacturing Day by the Numbers
                      Facts About Manufacturing
                      A Manufacturing Tour of America's Craft Beer Industry
                      Cybersecurity Strengthens U.S. Manufacturers
                      The Emergence of Digital Manufacturing
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A high return on investment for taxpayers
  NIST MEP's mission is to enhance the productivity and technological performance of U.S. manufacturing.Who We AreThe Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is based at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The national Program Office (NIST MEP) which provides the federal government funding for the MEP National NetworkTM is located in Gaithersburg, MD. The MEP National Network comprises the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP), the 51 MEP Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the MEP Advisory Board, MEP Center boards, and the Foundation for Manufacturing Excellence, as well as over 1,440 trusted advisors and experts at approximately 460 MEP service locations, providing any U.S. manufacturer with access to resources they need to succeed.Network Map Icon
  National Network of Centers located in all 50 states and Puerto RicoPartnership Icon
  Public-private partnership with local flexibilityFederal Funds Icon
  Federal funds, state investments, and private sector fees cover servicesMarket Driven Icon
  Market driven program that creates high value for all manufacturersLeverage Partners Icon
  Leverage partners to maximize service offeringsTechnologies Icon
  Transfer technology and expertise to small and medium-sized manufacturers​​​​Our Funding ModelMEP is a public-private partnership, designed from inception as a cost-share program. Federal appropriations pay one-half, with the balance for each Center funded by state / local governments and/or private entities, plus client fees. This cost-share model contributes to MEP's success. A GAO study found that because client fees give manufacturers a higher stake in the outcome of services, the positive impact on their businesses is greater. Meanwhile, public funding allows smaller manufacturers to afford services. NIST MEP uses 2 CFR 200 to monitor and govern the recipients' use of federal funds.**Strength in Partnerships**The MEP National Network's strength is in its partnerships. Through its collaborations at the federal, state and local level, MEP Centers work with manufacturers to develop new products and customers, expand and diversify markets, adopt new technology, and enhance value within supply chains. The MEP Program serves as a bridge to other organizations and federal research labs that share a passion for enhancing the manufacturing community.**Delivering Value**As a public-private partnership, the Program delivers a high return on investment to taxpayers. In FY2023, for every one dollar of federal investment, the MEP National Network generates $24.60 in new sales growth and $27.50 in new client investment. This translates into more than $4.3 billion in new sales.During this same time, for every $1,633 of federal investment, the Network creates or retains one manufacturing job. To learn more, view our Annual Report.Why the MEP Program was CreatedThe Program was initially authorized in 1988. Our founding legislation provides the guidance for the Program’s purpose, objectives, eligibility to apply for funding, activities of Centers funded under the Program, and the cost share, performance, and evaluation requirements. It also establishes a MEP Advisory Board.For every one dollar of federal investment in FY 2023, the MEP National Network generated $24.60 in new sales growth for manufacturers. For every $1,633of federal investment, the Network created or retained one manufacturing job.*Impacts are based on clients receiving services in FY 2023*
  Manufacturing

    
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For General Information
        MEP Headquarters
  mfg@nist.gov
  (301) 975-5020
  100 Bureau Drive, M/S 4800 
  Gaithersburg,
  MD 20899-4800

Created September 3, 2014, Updated February 9, 2024
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