The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA), both agencies of the U.S. Department of Commerce, are providing funding, leadership and technical assistance to the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), which will be leading an invitational policy academy to help seven states develop and implement strategies to grow advanced manufacturing industries. Representatives from Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania will participate in the program, which will run Oct. 6-7.
Participating states will receive guidance and technical assistance from NGA staff, experts from MEP, EDA and State Science and Technology Institute, as well as consultants from the private sector, research organizations and academia.
"MEP is proud to be a part of this effort," said MEP director Roger Kilmer. "Manufacturing is the backbone of the American economy, and events such as these show that manufacturing plays a vital role in the U.S. economy. Together, we can 'Make it in America,' and by doing so, revitalize our economy and create jobs."
Find more information about the academy. (link removed; no longer active)
For more information on MEP's involvement, call (301) 975-5020 or send an email to mfg [at] nist.gov (mfg[at]nist[dot]gov).
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With over 1,300 technical experts – located in every state – serving as trusted business advisors, focused on solving manufacturers' challenges and identifying opportunities for growth, the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) works with small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers to help them create and retain jobs, increase profits, and save time and money. The nationwide network provides a variety of services, from innovation strategies to process improvements to green manufacturing. MEP also works with partners at the state and federal levels on programs that put manufacturers in position to develop new customers, expand into new markets and create new products. For more information, see http://www.nist.gov/mep/.