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Empire State Development announces nearly $6 million in federal funding awarded to support manufacturing statewide

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Tue, Oct 6th 2015 05:15 pm

Manufacturing extension partnership center locations across New York will receive funding through ESD

Empire State Development has announced its re-designation as New York's Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, which includes nearly $6 million in federal funding annually over the next five years in order to support the growth and modernization of New York's manufacturing businesses. Combined with state funds, ESD will invest approximately $9.8 million per year into the MEP program to support science and technology-based businesses, start-up companies and small-and medium-sized manufacturers statewide. 

"Businesses throughout the state will benefit from the re-designation of New York's MEP center," ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said. "With this funding, we will continue to spur job creation, grow and expand the advanced technology sector, and support small-and medium-sized manufacturers throughout the state, and I encourage businesses to utilize the services available."

ESD receives funding through the National Institute of Standards & Technology's manufacturing extension partnership program under the U.S. Department of Commerce. As one of nine states in the U.S. to receive the MEP designation during this most recent competition, ESD will allocate the funds to support regional MEP centers operated by not-for-profit universities or entities that focus on economic development. 

Objectives of this program are to:

  • Improve the competitiveness and increase the market share of small and medium-sized manufacturers in New York through the introduction of new technology and best practices;

  • Create and retain jobs in New York;

  • Increase investment in and investment by New York manufacturing and technology-based companies;

  • Facilitate the movement of technology discoveries from academic research centers to the creation of new companies and jobs, or to expand existing New York companies; and

  • Increase the economic benefits to New York companies and the state as a result of fostering innovation.

The New York MEP Program is a network of 11 nonprofit organizations, one in each of New York's 10 economic development regions and one statewide center. The MEP centers work to provide entrepreneurial and business assistance to grow high-tech industry and support small-and medium-sized manufacturers throughout New York. Since 2011, this program has supported the creation of more than 3,500 jobs and has helped to retain more than 11,800 jobs statewide.

ESD will distribute approximately $9.8 million through a request for proposals process to designate the MEP centers, including the 10 regional centers and statewide center. The RFP will be made available on ESD's website in the coming weeks.

Any not-for-profit or nonprofit university-based entity that performs activities including, but not limited to the promotion, attraction, development and expansion of manufacturing-oriented and science and technology-oriented economic activity in New York, is eligible to apply for New York MEP (regional or statewide) center designation. The designations are for a five-year period, with the current designations expiring June 30, 2016.

ESD is the sole administrator of MEP funds in New York. The request for proposals to designate centers to provide services under this program is forthcoming. The announced funding is for the first 15 months of the five-year designation, and continued funding is subject to the availability of annual appropriations and successful annual reviews.

For more information about ESD, visit www.nyworks.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

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