Law provides $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network to bolster the U.S. manufacturing economy through the work of state MEP Centers, including Maryland MEP
Columbia, Md. (February 4, 2026) – The Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maryland MEP) applauds Congress and the Administration for the signing of H.R. 6938, which provides $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network through Fiscal Year 2026. The law also does not allow a reduction in the number of active MEP Centers currently serving all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Despite proposed cuts to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) at the national level in early 2025, strong bipartisan support for the program preserved funding and ensured that small and medium-sized manufacturers in Maryland and across the country can continue to receive the services and support they need to compete. This support underscores the vital role manufacturing plays in the nation’s economy and supply chains.
Managed by NIST and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the MEP program is a federal public-private partnership created in 1988 that provides small and medium-sized manufacturers with the technology-based services needed to grow and create well-paying manufacturing jobs in today’s economy. The program is implemented through the 51 MEP Centers that work directly with manufacturers to improve productivity and enhance U.S. competitiveness.
“We thank our Congressional leaders, including our representatives in Maryland, for being champions for the MEP program,” says Michael Kelleher, executive director of Maryland MEP. “With the signing of H.R. 6938, Maryland MEP is confident that consistent funding and support from both federal and state partners will enable our organization to stay focused on what matters most: supporting local manufacturers in critical sectors to strengthen supply chains and drive economic resilience across the state.”
“Maryland’s manufacturers support thousands of good-paying jobs and help keep our state’s economy moving forward. The Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership helps these businesses grow and succeed, which is why I fought to preserve federal funding for this important initiative after the Administration’s budget proposed to eliminate it. This investment will support Maryland manufacturers with the tools they need to continue innovating, expanding production, and driving economic growth across our state,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies – which oversees funding for NIST and MEP.
Established in 2013, Maryland MEP is the go-to resource for the more than 3,000 small- and medium-sized manufacturers in Maryland, providing an array of programs and services to help these companies operate more efficiently, grow profitability, implement new technologies and create more jobs and opportunities. Maryland MEP works with manufacturers across the state to deliver projects and programs that create new jobs, support the skills development of existing workers and generate lasting economic impacts.
About the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maryland MEP)
Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Maryland MEP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and growing Maryland’s manufacturing sector. Serving as a statewide convener of resources, Maryland MEP supports manufacturers across all industries and regions of the state. Through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, Maryland MEP helps manufacturers improve operational efficiency, adopt new processes and technologies, drive business growth, and create high-quality jobs while advancing workforce development.
