Manufacturing Program Receives New Funding

Manufacturing Program Receives New Funding

Plastics Business

A new five-year round of federal funding for the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership soon will benefit Ohio manufacturers. This program supports small- to medium-sized manufacturers by providing products, services and assistances that is meant to increase productivity, growth and global competitiveness.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is allocating $5.25 million per year to the program through 2021. With money from state and local partners, the program will have $80 million to assist Ohio manufacturers over the next five years. The Ohio Development Services Agency administers the program through six regional partners. The agency is holding a competition to select the regional partners. Nonprofit groups, economic-development authorities and educational institutions with strong experience in manufacturing technologies and manufacturing management are eligible. The request for proposals is planned for mid-May with awards slotted for late September.

For more information, visit www.development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_mep.htm.