Last week, the U. S. Department of Commerce began notifying Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs) in 10 states across the country that they are being eliminated. Elimination of the MEP program (including the Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership here in Indiana) runs in direct opposition to the Trump Administration’s stated goal of strengthening America's manufacturing sector.

The MEP program was designed to work exclusively with small- and mid-sized manufacturing companies to provide support through assistance with:

• operational improvements

• new technology adoption

• workforce development

• cybersecurity issues

In the past year alone, Purdue MEP served 724 companies and helped to upskill 5,345 individuals. Since 2005, their work has resulted in $7.9 billion in economic impact through new investments, new sales and cost savings. Nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce data released days ago, the MEP program helped create and retain 1.7 million American manufacturing jobs in 2024.

Indiana is the most manufacturing intensive state in the country, with approximately 8,000 manufacturers - 98% of whom are small- and medium-sized enterprises. More than 50% of all employment in Indiana is connected to manufacturing, and voters from both political parties overwhelmingly support strengthening US manufacturing. In fact, nearly 80% say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports additional funding for manufacturing.

Trade, tax and regulatory policy changes supported by the Trump Administration are designed in many cases to spur growth in US manufacturing. Growth in the domestic manufacturing industry is not easy, and MEPs are designed to help manufacturing companies grow. The IMA supports the work of Purdue MEP and calls on the Trump Administration to reconsider the elimination of MEPs.