250+ Ohio Manufacturers Urge Lutnick to Restore MEP Funding
More than 250 leaders of Ohio manufacturing companies signed a Dec. 18 letter urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to restore funding to the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership until a federal audit is completed.
In addition, on Dec. 17 seven Republican members of Congress from Ohio sent Lutnick a letter asking for the funding freeze to be lifted immediately, "given the severity of the consequences to Ohio manufacturers, workers, and the state’s industrial competitiveness."
The text of the Dec. 18 letter below is followed by the names and companies of the manufacturers who signed. Addtionally, more than 200 leaders of manufacturing-adjacent companies, educators and nonprofits signed but are not included here.
December 18, 2025
Dear Secretary Lutnick:
We, the undersigned Ohio manufacturing, economic development, and education leaders and friends of manufacturing, strongly support the mission of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP program), and the regional organization (MAGNET) that serves our companies in Northeast Ohio.Read more of IndustryWeek's coverage on the Trump administration's funding cuts to Manufacturing Extension Partnerships:
Dayton MEP Plans Closure After Federal Funds Freeze
‘Shock and Devastation’: Ohio MEP in Jeopardy as Feds, State Freeze Funds ‘Effective Immediately’
Trump Administration Plans to Defund MEPs Next Year, Ignoring Congress’ Allocation
In our region, MAGNET has played a critical role in helping small and medium-sized manufacturers with:
- New Product Design Development and Engineering
- Production Efficiency and Lean improvements
- Worker Training and Development for both production and professional staff
- Creation of a successful Second Chance manufacturing jobs program
- Executive peer groups and leadership development
- Innovation in products, processes, and business systems
Manufacturing is critical to the regional and state economy, driving nearly 50% of Northeast Ohio’s economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for the vast majority of our sector and much of our job growth.
Large companies can often afford independent consultants to do the above work. For smaller businesses, MAGNET’s lower-cost services, made possible by MEP funding, are the difference between standing still and keeping up with global competition. The work of modernizing factories, adopting advanced technology, and facilitating bringing production home from overseas aligns directly with the administration’s reshoring priorities and America’s long-term economic and national security.
That is why we are deeply concerned that MEP funding for Ohio has been suspended before any audit findings have been released. We do not believe this outcome was ever Congress’s intent when it created and funded the MEP program.
We respectfully urge the Department of Commerce and the State of Ohio to work together to restore MEP funding for Ohio manufacturers while the federal review continues, and to ensure that any issues identified are addressed through transparent due process, not at the expense of the small and mid-sized maufacturers who rely on this program.
Sincerely,
Tim Becker, 5-Acre Mill
Erika Boeing, Accelerate Wind
John Racic, Accurate Metal Machining
Norm Hensley Jr., Ace Paper Tube Corporation
Jack Harley, Acense LLC
Don Scipione, Acme Express
Jarett Solnick, ACS Industries
Duane Kenyon, Advance Bronze
Bryan Lowiec, Advanced Welding Solutions
Lee Watson, AECO Companies
John Milgram, Aexcel Corp.
Alan Semel, Agilence Inc.
Harry Shood, Aim Transportation Solutions
David Harris, Air Rite Service Supply, Inc
Roman Boychuk, Aircraft Wheel & Brake, LLC
Tony Horvat, Alacriant Inc
Ben DeMichael Alcon Industries, Inc.
Darrell Zielinski, All Ohio Threaded Rod
Tony Nicol, Alliance Support Services, LLC
Don Cochran, AltaTherm
Pete Goumas, AML3D USA Inc.
Ted Mailey, APO Pumps & Compressors, LLC
Nick Ballas, ARM TruckCorp
Xavior Motley, ARMA (Armadillo Protection LLC)
Daijha Johnson, Arrow Communications LLC
Franco Kraiselburd, Asclepi
Jeff Lubash, ASGL
JJ Lang, Ashland Water Group
Steve Konig, Assembly Specialty Products, Inc.
Aaron Slodov, Atomic Industries, Inc.
Wendy Dobyns, Autogate
Jennifer Compton, Automation Tool & Die, Inc.
Isaiah Kaiser, Auxilium Health, Inc
Mindaugas Rackaitis, Avery Dennison
Donald Bailey II, B Dynasty LLC
Kenny Godnavec, B&P Spring Production Company, Inc.
Teresa Bair, Barnes Group Inc.
Tino Go, Baru Inc.
Nancy Kehrle, Becker Americas
Jason Rathbun, Becker Pumps
Jonathan Beckett, Beckett Air, Incorporated
Hallie Stewart, Bee Valve
Matt Sublett, Benchmark
Austin Mazurik, Benko Products, Inc.
Garrett Miller, Black Tip LLC.
Marie T Ball, Blue & Green Planet, Ltd
Andrew McCartney, Bowden Manufacturing Corp
Eric Shultz, Bowden Manufacturing Corp
Wes Holder, Bowden Manufacturing Corp
Aliasgar Morbi, Brash Product Development Inc.
Anurag Warhadpande, Bridgestone
Melanie Muscolo, Buckeye Innovation
Tony Grilli, Bud Industries
Blair Haas, Bud Industries, Inc.
David Rutana, Bummin' Beaver Brewery
Mark Pollari, Burton Station Fixture Company
Tyler Pollari, Burton Station Fixture Company
Travis Pollari, Burton Station Fixture Company LLC
Kees DeRuyter, Butech Bliss
Andrew Saltzman, Buyers Products Company
Gwen Blagg, Buyers Products Company
Zach Sipos, BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc.
Marissa Wilson, Capsoul
David Camiener, CBG Biotech, Ltd. Co.
Michael Garvey, Center Street Technologies
Adam Sesock, Centerless Grinding Solutions
Daniel Schodowski, ChemMasters Inc.
Rocky Sandrella, Clarkwestern Dietrich Building Systems LLC
Michael Abrams, Classic Toy Company, Inc.
Sam Ratvasky, Cleveland Controls
Patrick Ramella, Cleveland Menu Printing, Inc.
Jeff Peters, Cleveland Wheel & Brake Systems
Tom Lix, Cleveland Whiskey
John Zanin, Clifton Steel Co.
Dave Kolomijez, Clifton Steel Co.
Coco, Coco’s Chalky Paints
Melissa Gorris, Compass Wire Cloth
Matt Werner, COMPCO
Jon Hampshire, Consep Sizetec
Trevor Stohr, Conveyer & Caster
Jeff Stohr, Conveyer & Caster
David Sukenik, Core Manufacturing, LLC
Lisa Sibits, Core Revolution (AbZipper)
Wayne Barry, Cortina Leathers
Sharie Renee, Cosmic Bobbins
Greg Baggott, Cres Cor
Gary Niehaus, Crystal Diagnostics
Rich Stombaugh, Custom Metal Works
Robert Guy, Cutting Dynamics, LLC
Amy Mucha, Daisy Makes, LLC
Cameron Haring, DECA Manufacturing
Joey Arnold, Delta Systems, Inc.
Ryan Ashdown, Design World LLC
Brian Doud, Develotype LLC
Sean Cwynar, Diamond Metals Distribution, LLC
Stephen Dickson, Diamond Products
Miki Pavlovic, Diamond Products, Limited
Patrick Cowan, Dorn Color, LLC.
Tom Selleny, Dorn Color, LLC.
April Bertram, DRB
Brian Fink, Duramax Marine
Suzanne Wilson, Duramax Marine LLC
Bryan Carlisle, E. Warther & Sons, Inc.
Miguel Lugo, E.C Kitzel & Sons
Thomas Schumann, E.C. Kitzel
Regan McHale, Eagle Elastomer, Inc.
Julie Robbins, E,arthQuaker Devices
Tim Rosengarten, East End Welding LP
Ashley Welty, Eberhard Manufacturing Co.
Jim Sargent, Eberhard Manufacturing Co.
Kevin Stambaugh, Elmet Technologies
Larry Harrison, Elyria Manufacturing Corp (EMC Precision)
Fiona Gaffney, Enbasis Inc.
Andrew Rising, Encore Industrial Co.
Michael Nieset, Encore Industrial Company
Justine Blank, Engineered Products, Inc.
Kevin Moore, Essentialware
Jason Moore, Essentialware
Natalie Evers, EverSafe Sensory LLC
Stephen Lovass, Excelitas
Brian FitzGerald, Falcon Industies
Adam Baldy, Fedpro, Inc
Marc Mendoza, Fedpro, Inc
Brian Wood, Fibercore, LLC
Matt Wunzin, Five Design & Development
Craig A. Duncan, Fives North American Combustion, Inc.
Steven Wengerd, Flextur
Ben Giordano, FlowMetric LLC
Felix Brueck, Folio Photonics
James Wearley, Food Equipment Manufacturing Co.
Amanda Dureiko, Forging Industry Association
Tony Marchetta, Fortune Brands | Moen
Aidan Meany, Found Surface
Matthew Simoni, Fraction Watch Box, LLC
Larry Fulton, Fulton Equity, LLC
Hal Wagoner, Fuserashi International Technology, Inc.
Michael Janes, Galvanix
Jamie McKee, Galvanix
Alan Long, Galvanix
Morgan Linger, Garvey Corporation
John Kreft, Gebauer Company
Scott Kepp, GEM Inc.
Katie Churchin, General Metal Heat Treating, Inc.
Rich Gent, Gent Machine
Dean Zody, GhostWave Inc
Kevin Ballard, Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology America, Inc.
Lachelle Bender, Gimmeahand Inc
Nick Ciavarella, GoJo Industries, Inc.
Stephanie Onderko, GoJo Industries, Inc.
Casey Krysiak, Gojo Industries, Inc.
Donny Chaplin, Grand River Rubber & Plastic
Keith Wyatt, Grand River Rubber & Plastics Company
Scott Huffman, Graywacke, Inc.
John Bonner, Great Lakes Growers
Jeffrey Lutz, Grip Spritz LLC
Tom Rose, Grip Spritz LLC
Haidar Hamoud, Haakwear
Bob Halper, Halper Lighting Solutions
Adam Kemp, Haltec Corporation
Michael Russell, Haltec Corporation
Will Powers, Harmoni Solutions
Adam Ellis, Harmoni Solutions, Inc.
Ron Zieske, Heat Seal, LLC
Chris Nook, Helix Linear Technologies
Megan Cika, Helix Linear Technologies
Vicky DiMichele, Helix Linear Technologies
Susan Nash, Helix Linear Technologies Inc
Marina Soldo, Helix Linear Technologies, Inc.
Tina Dick, Hgr Industrial Surplus, Inc.
Jess Wiedemer, Hinkley Lighting, Inc.
Carmen Popa, Hinkley Lighting Inc.
Craig Macklin, HK Technologies, Inc.
Bob Halper, Holos Lighting
Stephen Diegelmann , Horizons Inc
Katherine Graham, Humaneering Performance
Mark Lamoncha, Humtown Additive
Richard Organ, Hynes Industries
Harry Singer, ICM Distributing Company, Inc.
John Paximadis, IEC Infrared Systems Inc.
Sam Falletta, Incept
Chris Pascarella, Industrious Group
Doug O'Bryon, Innovation Food Service
Bill Price, Intellitronix Corporation
Mike Wise, IoT Sandbox Corp
Damon Walsh, Iten Defense, LLC
Mark Whitlam, J.C. Whitlam Manufacturing Company
Kate Jeffries, Jergens, Inc.
Ouday Taweel, Jergens, Inc.
Jack Schron, Jr. , Jergens. Inc
Bob Larosa, JL Moore Inc
Jeffery Woodson, JMW Solutions LLC
Chris Temple, Jolly Pets
Jim Taylor, JSH International
Craig Anderson, Kadee Industries
Elie Merheb, Kent Adhesive Products Co.
Sean Robbins, Kent Automation Systems LLC
David Sollinger, Kinetico
John Smith, Kinetico
Demetrius Lytle, Kinetico
Jon Wild, Kinetico
Carrie Murphy, Kintara, LLC
Kevin Brooks, Knight Materials
Steven Knoble, Knoble Moto
Melinda Alic, Koolpad, Inc.
Ken Gambatese, Lakeland Electric
Jeffrey Potter, Learn Kernel
Katie Colbaugh, Leucite
Bob Lee, Liberty Engineered Wire Products, Inc.
Steven Burns, Lighthanded Enterprises
Bruce Chantry, Lincoln Electric
Chris Campbell, Lincoln Electric
Kirk Lintern, Lintern Corporation
Chris Lowdermilk, LogiSync LLC
Ed Yenni, LogiSync, LLC
Jenna Ford, Loris Printing Inc
Meghan Bates, Luke Engineering
Peter Broer, Lumitex
Joseph Dombrowski, Lumitex
Max Meneer, Luxium Solutions
Joseph Majewski, Majek Growth LLC
Jessica Westropp, Manufacturing Works
Erica Bokisa, Maradyne Corporation
Scott Balogh, Mar-Bal
Anthony Lignetta, Mar-Bal, Inc.
Vince Profeta, Mar-Bal, Inc.
Michael L. Doris, Mars Electric Company
Linas Biliunas, Martindale Electric
Kenneth Rice, Masters Precision Machining, Inc.
Jayson Graham, Masthead Partners
Anthony Mazzella, Mazzella Companies
Matt Mazzella, Mazzella Lifting Technologies, Inc.
James Laurenza, McDonald Steel Corporation
Dave Tersigni, Mercury Plastics LLC
Mark Knurek, Mercury Plastics LLC
Greg Fuller, Metalfab Group
Jayme Rahz, Midway Swiss Turn, Inc.
Mate Zuzic, Midwest MetalFab
Tom Lazzaro, Midwest Transatlantic Lines, Inc.
Kelley Farkas, Mika Metal Fabricating
Jon Gram, Minerva Welding
Michelle Childs, Molded Fiber Glass Companies
Marvin DeTar, Molecular Technologies, Ltd
Melissa Trout, Momentive Technologies
Solomon Alkhasov, Momentous Mold & Machine
Tracie Roberts, Montville Plastics
Phillip Weber, Morrison Products
Meghan Fellinger, Morrison Products
Celeste Simcox, Motogo
Julie Fogel, Motogo
Vince Mullet, Mullet Cabinets, Inc.
Jerry Miller, NCO Industrial Museum
Mark Haberbusch, NEOEx
Brent Adams, Nesco, Inc.
Paul D. Bachman, Nesco, Inc.
Kevin Johnson, NexGen Interactive, LLC
Rebecca Andino, NExT Aerospace, LLC
Nick Stevovich, Nikola Innovation LLC
Caelan Phillips, Niles International
Scott Marsh, Noramar Co., Ltd.
Justine Jernejcic, Norman Noble Inc.
Thomas Sasura, North Coast Seal, Inc.
Mike Kister, Novagard Solutions, Inc.
Sarah Nash, Novagard Solutions, Inc.
Cristina Pinter, Novelis Corporation
Lawrence Somrack, NSL Analytical Services, Inc.
Jeffrey Bergsman, nVent
Vijay Rapaka, Oasis Grower Solutions
Neal Restivo, Oatey Co.
Christopher King, ODS Transportation
Kevin Bader, OGS Industries
Jim Onders, Ohio Aluminum Industries
Ibrahim Seven, Onevue Inc
Ben Gascoigne, Plastic Safety Systems, Inc
Elisa Khanna, Playaway Products
Bob Centa,PMI Industries, Inc.
Daniel Rerko, Polychem Dispersions Inc.
Andreas Foerster, Procon Industrial, LLC
Rick Homman, ProdClerk AI
Brandon Guzman, Progressive Building Supply
Howard Creed, R.W. Beckett
Jeff Odom, R.W. Beckett
Virginia Haas, Radcom, Inc.
Shawn Houlahan, Ralston Instruments, LLC
Griffin Ralston, Ralston Instruments, LLC
Rick Malson, Ramco Specialties, Inc.
Bruce Hendrick, RBB Systems Inc.
Carrie Guenther, RBB Systems Inc.
Dale Reese, Reese Machine
Emmanuel Katsaros, REM Electronics Supply Co Inc
Janet Dyer,REM Electronics Supply Co Inc
Mary Jo Ochotorena, RepairBit LLC
Mike Groff, RepairBit LLC
Jeffrey Schad, retired CEO, Snap-Tite Hose
Harvey Nelson, retired manufacturing CEO
Elvin Rose, RICO Manufacturing, Inc.
John Ribic, Rimeco Products, Inc.
Benjamin Nyx, Rinth Labs
BJ Kowalski, ROE Dental Laboratory
Dave DeBord, Royal Chemical Company, Ltd.
Christopher Matney, S4 Mobile Laboratories
Morgan Revels, S4 Mobile Laboratories
Louis Mazzoli, Selas Heat Technology
Kelly Franko, Seraphina Safety Apparel & Manufacturing
Mackenzie Marimon, SFS Group USA, Inc.
Crist Miller, Shawnee Wood Products Inc
Mark Schubert, Sherwin Williams
Kyle Jones, Sherwin Williams - Purdy Paint Brushes
Jeff Semivan, Signum LLC
Jolene Meese, Snyder Manufacturing, Inc.
Thomas Hawkins, Soliton Control Systems, LTD
Matt Halter, Solmet Group
Diane Popovich, Solon Manufacturing Company
George Davet, Solon Manufacturing Company
Jason Aspinall, SSP Fittings Corp.
Greg Fuller, Stainless Works
Jessica Weimer, Starr Manufacturing
Tamara Engelhardt, Step2 Discovery, LLC
Joseph Brizzolara, Steris
Ken Skoczen, Stretchtape, Inc.
Larry Waldron, SunWize Power & Battery
William Swan, Swagelok Company
Joseph Gazso, Talan Products
Scott Bubar, Talan Products
Kristine Havranek, Talan Products
Adam Snyder, Talan Products, Inc
Lindsey Krauth, Talan Products, Inc.
Stephen Peplin, Talan Products, Inc.
Mike Jeziorski, Talan Products, Inc.
Brian Hoaglin, TCH Industries, Incorporated
John Kolesar, Technoform
Rich Gent, The Gent Machine Company
Derek Gingerich, The Hardwood Lumber Company
Heather Bedillion, The Step2 Company LLC
John Eureka, The Step2 Company LLC
Melisa Neff, The Step2 Company LLC
Natalie Longa, Tilth Soil
Bob Bruml, Transcon Conveyor
Mathew Frank, Transcon Conveyor
Ted Bunton, Troy Chemical Industries
Ryan Yount, Troy Chemical Industries
Beth Bunton, Troy Chemical Industries
Brett Crawford, Troy Innovative Instruments, Inc.
Michael Schaefer, Troymill Wood Products
Sam Miller, Trumbull Industries
Elizabeth Lute, Tusco MFG
Michael Lauber, TuscoMFG
Matthew Churchill, UCI Controls, Inc. DBA Cleveland Controls
Scott Fox, Universal Oil
Andrew Lynagh, Universal Oil, Inc.
Paul Burgoyne, Vantage Solutions, Inc.
John Zelina, Venture Plastics
Jeremy Shedlock, Venture Plastics, Inc.
Jon Barnett, Venture Plastics, Inc.
Karen Maschi, Veza Innovations
Pete Gingras, Viscus Biologics
Richard Lash, Vitamix
Bart Vinning, Vita-Mix Corporation
Robert Guy, W.L.S. Stamping Co
Abram Wagner, Wagner Machine Inc.
Adam Carder, WardJet
Bryan Carlisle, Warther Cutlery
Jason Hill, Watteredge
Keith Griffin, Weiss North America, Inc.
Tania Zaripheh, Welser Profile North America
William Johnson, Welser Profile North America
Donzell Taylor, Welty enterprises
J. David Cole, Willy's Fresh Salsa
Sara Campbell, Willy's Fresh Salsa
Kent Winter, Winter Equipment Company, Incorporated
Marlena Hudson, Wise Wallet LLC
John Wurm, Wurm's Woodworking Company Inc
Michael Haritakis, Xperience Robotics, Inc.
Ben Yost, Yost Foods
About the Author
Laura Putre
Senior Editor, IndustryWeek
As senior editor, Laura Putre works with IndustryWeek's editorial contributors and reports on leadership and the automotive industry as they relate to manufacturing. She joined IndustryWeek in 2015 as a staff writer covering workforce issues.
Prior to IndustryWeek, Laura reported on the healthcare industry and covered local news. She was the editor of the Chicago Journal and a staff writer for Cleveland Scene. Her national bylines include The Guardian, Slate, Pacific-Standard and The Root.
Laura was a National Press Foundation fellow in 2022.
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