Urgent Call for Help!

As the Trump Administration works to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, the US Department of Commerce is undermining that effort by cutting funding for Manufacturing Extension Programs (MEPs) like Enterprise Minnesota.

Earlier this month, MEPs in ten states were initially notified that the Department of Commerce did not renew their cooperative agreement awards. This action would severely impact their work with manufacturers. We expect the same notification when Enterprise Minnesota applies for its contractual renewal later this year. (Breaking news: All ten MEPs just learned that their funding will now be reinstated for the next six months.)

MEPs operate independently nationwide and have achieved extraordinary results. For every dollar of federal investment in FY 2023, clients of the MEP National Network generated $24.60 in new sales and $27.50 in new client investment. This translates into more than $4.3 billion in new sales. During the same time, for every $1,633 of federal investment, the Network created or retained one manufacturing job.

Enterprise Minnesota’s impact on manufacturers has been equally impressive. We are committed to business operations excellence and have been ISO 9001:2015 certified since 2014. We keep meticulous records and can demonstrate significant ROI.

Highlights of our results from the past five years include:

• Over 510 manufacturing clients supported
• Positive economic impact of over $696 million in sales reported by clients
• Reduced client costs by over $131 million
• Capital expenditures and investments over $289 million
• Added or retained over 6,600 jobs.

Armed with the expertise MEPs offer in areas ranging from ISO certification and continuous improvement to cybersecurity and talent development, manufacturers thrive and create quality jobs. Ending the MEP program is particularly damaging to small manufacturers with high growth potential because the cost-effective consulting services we provide cannot be delivered by other organizations.

We are pleased that the Administration has made fortifying American manufacturing a top priority. The work of MEPs fits perfectly with this strategy because it leads to significant ROI for taxpayers while boosting the strength of manufacturers and their communities.

We understand that cutting the growth of the federal budget is a difficult and necessary priority. But few federal programs can so clearly demonstrate their value in the form of better jobs and future economic growth.

We need your help! We are asking our readers and clients to reach out to their members of Congress and U.S. Senators and urge them to tell the Secretary of Commerce and the White House to request immediate restoration of funding for MEPs.

Click here for information on how to contact your federal elected officials. Thank you for showing your support.

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