Congress Must Preserve the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program
Throughout history, U.S. manufacturing has consistently been a sector filled with ingenuity, pride and resilience. Communities have come to rely upon this industry not only for well-paying jobs, but to serve as a pillar of hope for the American dream.
While companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Intel are household names, our small- and medium-sized manufacturers are the quiet engines of industry. These businesses, often family-run and deeply rooted in their communities, have served as the foundation of our economy. And one program has consistently been in their corner: the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
MEP is a national network of centers that provide hands-on support to manufacturers in every U.S. state. MEP centers offer services tailored to the needs of manufacturers by connecting companies with industry experts and offering specialized resources. This comprehensive, community-based support is exactly what manufacturers need to thrive. The MEP centers are equipped to meet companies at their most critical junctions, whether it’s embarking on a lean manufacturing journey, implementing a quality management system, selecting new technologies, or upskilling their workforce.
Unfortunately, the future of the MEP program is in question, as the Department of Commerce has initiated the process of terminating funding to MEP centers. These organizations’ sole mission is to strengthen and empower small to medium-sized manufacturers to become more competitive and efficient. This decision by the Department of Commerce doesn’t just risk economic progress but undercuts the current administration’s own stated goals: restoring U.S. manufacturing, rebuilding the middle class and reinvigorating supply chain networks.
Here in Indiana, the Purdue University MEP Center has helped manufacturers compete more effectively in the global marketplace, achieving almost $8 billion in economic impact. These numbers include vital measures, such as new sales, cost savings and new investment. As members of the Purdue MEP Board of Advisors, we can confidently say that no other organization in the state has more experience serving small and mid-sized manufacturers.
At this time, we anticipate the Purdue MEP Center will lose its funding from the Department of Commerce as of July 1, 2025. The result will be an organization that no longer has the depth and breadth to focus on serving small and mid-sized manufacturers, the companies that are most in need of MEP assistance.
Eliminating the Purdue MEP Center would drastically diminish resources and training available to the thousands of manufacturers in our great state of Indiana, 98% of which are small to medium-sized companies. Manufacturing represents the largest industry sector in Indiana, with more than 50% of all employment in Indiana having a connection to it. Without funding, Purdue MEP would no longer have the capacity to meet the critical needs of manufacturers, ranging from process improvement and workforce development to supply chain needs and technology implementation.
Voters understand what’s at stake. In fact, almost 80% of voters say they are more likely to support a candidate who backs funding for manufacturing, and 72% believe it should be a top priority for lawmakers. The MEP program isn’t just smart policy; it’s politically popular, with broad bipartisan support behind it. So, everyone agrees that manufacturing matters. The real question is: Are our policymakers willing to invest in it when it counts?
As members of this country’s proud manufacturing industry, we call upon Indiana’s citizens to contact your elected congressional officials to immediately repeal the decision to cut funding to these Centers that are vital to our growth.
Signed,
Purdue University Manufacturing Extension Partnership Board of Advisors
Andrew Roberts, Board Chair
Sr. Director – Advanced Manufacturing
BraunAbility
Susan Carlock
Executive Vice President
Mursix
Bob Ferguson
President
Applied Solutions LLC
Edward Garza
President
El Popular
Johnny Goode
President
MSP Manufacturing
Jim Hurst
President
N.K. Hurst Co., Inc.
Iain James
Senior Vice President of Technology
Knauf Insulation of North America
Megan Knoll
Owner/VP of Operations
Fit Tight Covers Company, Inc.
Todd Miller
President & CEO
Myers Spring
Ralph Palmer
Associate Director of Quality – Americas
Corporate Trade Compliance Manager
Linde Advanced Material Technologies Inc.
Steve Rider
Vice President
Manufacturing & Production Control
Subaru of Indiana Automotive
John T. Smith, NIST MEP National Advisory Board
CEO
Wood-Mizer
