Amid efforts to restore jobs, US cuts funding for Maine's Manufacturing Extension Partnership

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership — a federal program with a Maine office in Augusta — helps companies plan and organize factory build-outs.

It has worked as a consultant on some of Maine's best-known factories, ranging last year from Gorham-based bag producer Flowfold to Winslow-based snack-food processor Maine Crisp to Guilford-based swab maker Puritan Medical Supplies. Companies it worked with last year generated some $60 million in new investment, according to the partnership's annual impact report.

But this week, the program was put on the chopping block, with the Trump administration indicating it would cut MEP programs in 10 states, including Maine.

Photo / Courtesy Office of U.S .Rep. Chellie Pingree

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District.

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District, joined more than 80 of her House colleagues in calling for the Trump administration "to reverse its abrupt and harmful decision to eliminate federal funding for Manufacturing Extension Partnership."

“Given the Trump Administration’s goals to revive and advance American manufacturing, we believe funding MEP centers remains essential. If we want to build at home, we must equip American manufacturers of all sizes with the tools, funding, and technology to compete and thrive,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter addressed to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Acting Under Secretary Craig Burkhardt.

Some $175 million in funding, the House leaders noted, had already been authorized and appropriated by Congress.

The MEP centers help small and mid-sized manufacturers in efforts to modernize and grow operations.

“Simply put, to manufacture at home we must support American manufacturers. Denying American workers and small businesses from the resources they need to develop their talents, modernize their operations, and grow their business is counterproductive,” the lawmakers continued. “At a time when we must harness the power of technology to be effective and competitive producers, we must continue to fund MEPs and provide American businesses with the tools they need. We call on the Administration to reverse course, renew funding for the 10 MEP centers that lapsed April 1st, and continue to support the MEP program to advance American manufacturing.”

MEP impact in Maine

In 2024 alone, Maine MEP supported $60.5 million in new investments, generated $95.5 million in new and retained sales and helped create and retain more than 1,100 manufacturing jobs.

The Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership was established by Congress in 1988 in response to a growing concern over the loss of manufacturing jobs and a decline in industrial productivity. The state chapters operate as a public-private partnership.

Since 1988, MEP centers in the U.S. have worked with over 150,000 manufacturers and helped create and retain more than 1.6 million jobs. Every federal dollar invested in the program generates more than $27 in new client investment and nearly $25 in new sales growth for small manufacturers.

In addition to Maine, other states affected by this week's action are Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Response from Maine MEP director

Maine MEP

Jim Fay

Jim Fay, president of Augusta-based Maine MEP, wrote in an email to Mainebiz:

"I have been fortunate to have worked with the MEP National Network back to when I was an MEP client almost 20 years ago, to the work we do today as the MEP for Maine. With a network of 1,440 manufacturing experts nationwide, there is no better organization to help American manufacturers with today's manufacturing challenges, than the MEP National Network. The President has made it clear that American manufacturing is a priority. We don't understand why funding has been cut to support manufacturing at a time when American manufacturers need it the most.

"The letters, calls, and emails in support of the restoration of the MEP National Network have been heard. We appreciate Congresswoman Pingree's response, demanding restoration of this critical program, as well as the support from her colleagues in congress. It is great to see that the collective voices of several Maine manufacturers are being heard, and that congress is working to get this program restored on their behalf."

Maine MEP has 9.5 employees, Fay told Mainebiz.

For the past three years, it has had an annual budget of $1,161,000.

Fay said in the past week he has "received 260 signatures and comments onto a letter of support, plus an additional 35 individual letters of support of Maine MEP and the national program."

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