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Senate Committee Restores Funding for MEP
On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $106.6 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) for FY 2004, according to the Modernization Forum. The Bush Administration had proposed funding MEP at $12.6 million, effectively eliminating the national program.
The Committee action would maintain funding at the FY 2003 level provided by the 108th Congress earlier this year. The House appropriations bill passed in July would provide only $39.6 million for MEP. Earlier in the year, 246 House members sent letters to House CJS Appropriations Subcommittees leaders supporting $110 million for MEP in FY 2004.
MEP is a nationwide network of independent, nonprofit centers assisting America's 360,000 smaller manufacturers. The centers provide technical assistance, products, services and business best practices to help firms increase productivity, increase profits and enhance their global competitiveness.
In a study by the U.S. Census Bureau, researchers found MEP clients experience productivity gains more than four times greater than comparable firms. MEP clients report strong bottom-line impacts including over $636 million in new sales, $680 million in new investment, and 25,500 retained or new jobs during FY 2001.