Controversy over appropriations for small manufacturers

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 25 Jul 2002 21:12

The Senate Appropriations Committee has recommended that $106.6 million be included in the DOC’s 2003 budget for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) assistance program for small manufacturers.

The MEP is currently funded at $106.5 million. However, the Bush administration recommended only $12.9 million be allocated for the MEP program, shifting funds to cover defense and homeland security programs instead.

“This is no longer just about economic recovery,” said Senator Ernest Hollings, chairman of the senate commerce, justice, and state subcommittee. “While we focus on the war on terrorism, we must remember that our small manufacturers produce a lot of the parts and products that our military needs. It’s in our best interest, both economically and militarily, to make sure that our small manufacturers remain competitive.”

The MEP has 400 offices nationwide and provides technical assistance and business support to small- and medium-sized manufacturers.

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