Sen. Marshall Announces Over $2 Million in Funding for Kansas Manufacturers

(Washington, D.C., April 1, 2021) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall today announced $2,130,987 in grant funding for the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center and Kansas Manufacturing Solutions from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

“Manufacturers are essential to the economic success of Kansas, as well as the U.S. This grant ensures America remains competitive on the world stage through the adoption of cutting-edge technology and the expansion of well-paying jobs,” said Senator Marshall. “Through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, small and medium-sized companies are able to collaborate at the state, local, and federal level to expand market access as well as attract and maintain a diverse workforce. I applaud the important role this grant plays in making the American dream possible for so many hardworking people in Kansas and across the nation.”

Background:
The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a U.S. Department of Commerce agency. $2,130,987 in funding for the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center and Kansas Manufacturing Solutions has been renewed for the time period between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

MEP’s strategic objective is to create value for all manufacturers, with a particular focus on small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs represent nearly 99% of manufacturing firms in the U.S. and form the essential fabric of the U.S. manufacturing infrastructure. MEP is able to provide this support to individual manufacturers through its nationwide network of local centers made up of teams of experts and business professionals.

As a public/private partnership, MEP delivers a high return on investment to taxpayers. For every dollar of federal investment, MEP clients generate nearly $19 in new sales, which translates into $2.5 billion annually. And for every $2,001 of federal investment, MEP creates or retains one U.S. manufacturing job. Since 1988, MEP has worked with nearly 80,000 manufacturers, leading to $88 billion in sales and $14 billion in cost savings, and it has helped create more than 729,000 jobs.  

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