On Wednesday, President Obama traveled to Cleveland, OH and made a major announcement about investing in manufacturing.  He first visited our local Ohio MEP affiliate, MAGNET before making his speech. Three main items were announced by the President:

• $500 million in public-private investment to strengthen American manufacturing by investing in cutting-edge technologies through a new, textiles-focused manufacturing institute competition led by the Department of Defense;
• $320 million to sharpen the capabilities of small manufacturers through Manufacturing Extension Partnership competitions in twelve states; and
• New White House Supply Chain Innovation Initiative.

For more information about the details of each item, please click here.

There was a lot of news coverage about this event and the announcements. Below are some news articles:

• NBC 3: Pres. Obama to launch manufacturing investment in CLE
• Cleveland.com: President Obama tours MAGNET before speech: pool report
• The Plain Dealer: Obama chastises critics of his policies
• DOC Blog: Making U.S. Manufacturing Stronger
• Industry Week: Obama in Ohio to Announce Manufacturing Initiative

A big thank you and congratulations to the MAGNET Team and Dan Berry. If you have any questions about this announcement, please contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov or 301-975-4919.​

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NIST MEP has opened up the second competition to award new cooperative funding agreements for its MEP centers in 12 states. The current competition will fund awards for centers in Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Only Electronic Applications must be submitted. MEP must receive them no later than 11:59 P.M. EDT on Monday, June 1, 2015. The approximate start date for awards under this FFO is expected to be January 1, 2016.

An Informational Webinar will be held on March 30, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. EDT. The webinar will provide overall information about the MEP program, and the funding opportunity. To register, please provide your organization and list of participants to mepffo@nist.gov

To view full Federal Funding Opportunity, click here. Please submit your proposals via www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity number 2015-NIST-MEP-01. For questions contact mepffo@nist.gov.

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Have you visited the new, improved www.mfgday.com site? Hopefully it will be easier to find resources, register an event, and find an event. The Resources section includes photo galleries, success stories by event hosts, Proclamations, scholarships, and more. We hope the new site helps the MEP centers to support MFG Day in communities around the nation this year.

For questions, contact Zara Brunner (zara.brunner@nist.gov) or Mark Schmit (mark.schmit@nist.gov)

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and colleague – Jeffrey A. Lawrence, Executive Vice President of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) - one of New York's MEP Centers. For more than 21 years, Jeff served as CEG’s Executive Vice President and was responsible for the manufacturing and technology programs. Jeff also served as the Executive Director of CEG and helped the Capital Region’s manufacturing and technology companies to innovate and grow.

He will be missed dearly by all who knew him and worked with him. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Sharon and his family at this difficult time.

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As partners of the E3 framework, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to make you aware of possible funding opportunities to support your E3 activities as they pertain to rural small businesses and agricultural producers. These funding opportunities are contained in the recent modifications made to the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

To provide additional background on the program and to learn how agricultural producers and rural businesses can easily take advantage of REAP’s benefits, the REAP Outreach Team will host an interactive webinar specifically for E3 partners on Monday, March 30 from 1:00-2:30pm EDT. To register, click here.

Additional information on the REAP program can be found here. For further information and questions, please contact your State Energy Coordinator, or REAP's Outreach Coordinator, Venus Welch-White at venus.welchwhite@wdc.usda.gov | |202-720-0400.

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There is still time to submit proposals for the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) IMCP initiative. The program will designate up to 12 additional manufacturing communities to develop comprehensive economic development strategies that will strengthen their competitive edge for attracting global manufacturer and supply chain investments. Proposals are due April 1, 2015.

MEP Centers participated in all 12 IMCPs in the last round and are encouraged to participate in this round with their regional partners in order to receive the designation. For more information, click here or view the Federal Register Notice. For questions contact Heidi Sheppard at heidi.sheppard@ nist.gov.

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The Small Business Administration recently announced the FY15 Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) Program and is currently seeking grant applications. The FAST Program funds private or public organizations to provide technical assistance to SMEs. This is a great way for MEP Centers to partner with other state organizations to connect SMEs with SBIR funding opportunities, and allow for additional manufacturing support they would need from an MEP. This current solicitation will remain open until April 10th. For more information, click here. If you have any questions, please contact Clara Asmail at asmail@nist.gov.

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GaMEP's March Faces of Manufacturing
Meet Ken Gall and Kurt Jacobus – manufacturers that are changing surgical patients’ lives with the products they produce.

Ken and Kurt, of MedShape, a startup manufacturing company in Atlanta, have been selected as the March Faces of Manufacturing. Ken and Kurt met in college and through the Georgia Tech VentureLab program were able to take their research from lab to market to create a product that improves surgery success rates. Read their story here.

Dakota MEP in now Impact Dakota
The rebranding comes as the company continues to grow its programs and services for the North Dakota manufacturing community, increase its outreach to educate the public about the manufacturing industry, and expands their industry expertise to other industry sectors.

Indiana MEP Vacancy Announcement
Indiana MEP is looking for an Quality Management System Specialist for their Indianapolis office. The candidate will become the subject matter expert to deliver high-value fee based training and implementation services to a diverse base of manufacturers in Indiana. View Vacancy

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Supplier Connection, a partner on a B2B initiative with FuzeHub, is hosting a webinar for SME’s to learn more about the free web-based portal that provides businesses access to the supply chains of member organizations, making it easier to potentially become suppliers for those members.

Webinar Details: Link | 888.989.9821 | Passcode: 4196999

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This webinar will provide an overview of a system which is aimed at impacting every part of the company - from CEO to the shop floor operator, marketing manager, to the accounting clerk. It promotes a view of the company in terms of value streams that will maximize profits and cash. The system, commonly referred to as “Lean Accounting”, is a specialized way of viewing the costs and values streams. It is less about financial statements and more about an enhanced business strategy.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Business1234! | Call in Number: 1-866-2182764 | Conference Code: 801 896 4070

For more details contact: Brian Lagas (brian.lagas@nist.gov) or Dileep Thatte (dileep.thatte@nist.gov) 

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This webinar will provide background information about MEP’s Make it in America (MiiA) Supplier Scouting; with an emphasis on the scouting process, MEP Centers’ best practices, and using MEP Connect to collaborate and submit findings.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Welcome1234! | Call in Number: 1-866-2182764 | Conference Code: 540 370 2466

For more details contact: Samm Bowman (samm@nist.gov).

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Part II of the webinar series will provide a more in-depth look on the mission and strategy of the MEP program.  Part II will also present an opportunity to hear from NIST MEP Subject Matter Experts on the various initiatives within the system.  Part II MEP Overview Topics will include: MEP Evolution, Strategy, Challenges, Advisory Board, Services & Initiatives, Leadership Programs, and Competitions.

Webinar Details: Link | Password: Welcome1234! | Call in Number: 1-866-218-2764 | Conference Code: 801 896 4070

For questions or assistance, please contact Phill Wadsworth at phillip.wadsworth@nist.gov or Wiza Lequin at wiza.lequin@nist.gov.

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Toyota Kata: Toyota Kata addresses the question "How can we lead our companies so they will survive and thrive long term?" In this workshop attendees will see examples of how companies are utilizing the Toyota Kata method. April 1st | April 10th

Mastering Lean Product Development: This workshop provides a step-by-step methodology for integrating the powerful waste-eliminating tools of lean product development into any product development process. April 20-21st.

For more details contact: Brian Lagas (brian.lagas@nist.gov).

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Learn how to approach ISO 9001:2008 registration from the professional lead auditor’s point of view and focus on key audit skills that enhance auditing capability. This intensive workshop covers key aspects of leading an audit team for your firm, another firm, or vendors/supplier.

Who Should Attend
Quality management system auditors, management reps and quality managers undergoing a third-party, individuals pursuing RABQSA QMS auditor certification. To register, click here.

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One of the most powerful ways to learn about the Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata (IK/CK) methodology is through a 3- day experience working with real processes in an actual work environment. The Skill Camp provides students the opportunity to practice all 5 of the core routines of IK/CK while working with actual processes in a live workplace. For more information, click here.

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The Family Business Advisor Core Training Program will be delivered by Lisë Stewart of the Galliard Family Business Advisor Institute. This Certification program prepares advisors to work with owners on strategies for the future of their business! Participants receive program materials and access to online assessment and delivery tools. Cost for the two-day training is $1695. Certification is available at no extra cost.

Questions or for further information contact lstewart@galliardgroup.com or go to Galliard Core Training to learn more and register.

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The update meeting is for center management and staff to gain a better understanding of activities occurring across the system, changes and trends in manufacturing, and how to best position the network to provide these services going forward.

The meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites Phoenix - Scottsdale. More information about the Update Meeting and the hotel's room block will be coming soon. For more information contact Kari Reidy at kari.reidy@nist.gov.

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NIST MEP along with Utah MEP, and the Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration will be hosting an upcoming Buy America Transit Supply Chain Forum in Salt Lake City, on June 24, 2015.

This Forum will bring large transit OEMs and smaller, qualified and interested U.S. manufacturers together in an effort to facilitate reaching a higher percentage of domestic suppliers in transit products and systems. The Forum will offer a venue for smaller manufacturers to learn what products are needed and find out more about investments they need to consider when entering the transit industry.

The event will be held in conjunction with the American Transportation Association’s (APTA) Rail Conference at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT. More information including registration will be provided shortly

For more information about Buy America Transit Supply Chain, please visit the Next Generation Transportation Supply Chain page or contact Samm Bowman (samm@nist.gov | 301-975-5978).

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New!! August 2-5, 2015
Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo

Additive manufacturing is transforming every aspect of product development from product design and manufacturing to quality control and qualification.
Are you prepared for this technology to impact your business? Do you have the knowledge to meet the demands of your customers?

At ASME’s 2015 Additive Manufacturing + 3D Printing Conference & Expo (AM3D), the only cross-industry event designed specifically for the Engineering Community. Visit the event website for full agenda and speaker line up, or contact Clara Asmail for questions.

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