Hardware Podcasts

Defunding of the MEPs and How YOU Can Help Stop It: A Special Episode

The Manufacturing Executive · 29 Apr 2025 · 37m · Episode 255

What this episode covers

Paul Van Metre of ProShop ERP, Nick Goellner of Advanced Machine & Engineering, Meaghan Ziemba of Mavens of Manufacturing, Mike Payne of Hill Manufacturing, and Jim Mayer of The Manufacturing Connector discuss the critical threat of defunding the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs). They highlight how these public-private partnerships support tens of thousands of small manufacturers through grants, training, and technology adoption, with specific examples from Hill Manufacturing and Advanced Machine & Engineering. The panel urges the manufacturing community to take immediate action by contacting congressional delegations, sharing personal success stories via video tools like VideoAsk, and participating in grassroots advocacy to prevent the elimination of these vital resources.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
ProShop ERP, Advanced Machine & Engineering, Mavens of Manufacturing, Hill Manufacturing, The Manufacturing Connector, MakingChips, Gorilla 76
Tools
VideoAsk
Also
Impact Washington, Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, NIST

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Lights Out · 35m

    The Quiet Cut That's Loudly Threatening Small Manufacturing

    Paul, Nick, Mike, Jim, and Megan discuss the imminent defunding of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network by NIST, a public-private partnership that supports small manufacturers. The guests share specific success stories, such as Mike’s shop gaining $1 million in revenue through automation analysis and Nick’s company securing a grant for an AR-based digital configurator. They urge listeners to contact their congressional representatives and share their own MEP impact stories to prevent the loss of this critical resource for the U.S. manufacturing base.

    Policy, trade & tariffsHiring & workforce
    7 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 41m

    BONUS: MEPs are at Risk of Losing Funding and Need Your Help

    Host Chris Luecke introduces a bonus episode featuring Paul Van Meter, Nick Golner, and Mike Payne from Making Chips, Megan Zimba from Mavens of Manufacturing, and Jim Mayer from Manufacturing Culture discussing the defunding of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). The guests share specific examples of how MEPs like Impact Washington, the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (iMEC) helped their businesses with automation grants, cybersecurity compliance, and workforce development. They outline a call to action for manufacturers to contact their congressional delegations and share their success stories using the #MEPMatters hashtag to prevent further cuts to the network.

    Policy, trade & tariffsHiring & workforce
    8 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 20m

    198: Manufacturing’s Role in the Resurgence of Rust Belt Cities with Drew Crowe, Live from 4 Hands Brewing Company in St. Louis, MO

    Drew Crowe, founder of the New American Manufacturing Renaissance, joins host Chris Luecke and guests Michael Eaton (Missouri Association of Manufacturers), Mary Cecile Neville (AMT), Brad Jones and Jeff Hawkins (Endeavor), and Cynthia Chapple (Black Girls Do STEM) in a live discussion at 4 Hands Brewing Company in St. Louis. The group explores how manufacturing is driving the economic resurgence of Rust Belt cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, and St. Louis through targeted workforce development, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. They highlight specific initiatives such as Detroit's EV mobility focus, Philadelphia's submarine industrial base training, and Rhode Island's prison workforce programs, emphasizing the critical role of Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs) and local anchor institutions in retaining talent and creating jobs.

    Hiring & workforceLeadership, teams & culture
    10 chapters

  • Lights Out · 52m

    Inside Conexus Indiana: The Industry Network Driving Manufacturing Tech and Talent | Ep. 46

    Bryce Carpenter, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Strategy Officer at Conexus Indiana, explains how this industry-led nonprofit facilitates collaboration among 126 manufacturing, logistics, academic, and public sector partners to drive workforce development and technology adoption. He details the evolution of the industry from viewing automation as an enemy to embracing it as a necessity, highlighting a specific case where automating hated palletizing jobs improved retention. The episode also covers the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program, which has supported over 700 small and midsize shops, and success stories like FiberX and Arcamed, illustrating how strategic peer learning and targeted investments accelerate growth.

    Manufacturing partners & offshoringScaling production
    10 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 02m

    209: How to Take Advantage of Local, State, and Federal Resources for Growth and Expansion, Live from CBT Company's More Than MFG Expo

    Host Chris Luecke interviews Will Healy of AMIP, Fabian Schmall of Maylink Solar, Allison Greyless of Women in Manufacturing, Jennifer Thomas of REDI Cincinnati, and Elise Ring of CBT Company about leveraging local, state, and federal resources for manufacturing growth. The guests discuss specific programs like TechCred Ohio, the Good Jobs Challenge, and JobsOhio, emphasizing proactive community engagement and collaboration over passive waiting for incentives. Fabian Schmall shares his experience navigating economic development as a former plant manager, while Allison Greyless highlights workforce retention programs for women in manufacturing.

    Hiring & workforcePolicy, trade & tariffs
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Manufacturing Executive. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.