WASHINGTON, D.C.-More than 60 manufacturing associations nationwide have joined forces to warn policymakers of a growing crisis for small manufacturers. In letters to President Bush and Congressional Appropria-tions leaders, The National Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Congress, National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing, and the National Tooling and Machining Associations, along with other associations across the country, urge policymakers to restore funding to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
MEP helps small manufacturers remain competitive in the global marketplace by providing technical assistance, support services, engineering services and business advice to small manufacturers. The MEP program's budget for fiscal year (FY) 2004 is $39 million-63% less than last year. The president requested the same amount for FY 2005.