Two members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation said the Trump administration’s cuts to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership will hurt small and mid-size USA manufacturers, WSHU reported on April 15, 2025.
The cuts
- The MEP is run by the Commerce Department as a public-private partnership that helps small and medium-size manufacturers.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal said the program costs $179 million nationwide and helps tens of thousands of businesses.
- MEP centers in Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming had already closed.
- Blumenthal and Rep. John Larson spoke at HABCO Industries in Glastonbury, which makes engine tools and ground support equipment for Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Boeing.
“It is one of the most effective programs no one has ever heard of.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal
Why it matters for Made in USA
Small manufacturers often use MEP centers for help with production, quality and supply chains. Cutting that help at the same time tariffs push buyers toward USA suppliers could leave smaller makers less able to take on new work.
FAQ
What is the MEP?
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a Commerce Department program that helps small and mid-size manufacturers.
How much does it cost?
About $179 million nationwide, Blumenthal said.
Which MEP centers closed?
Centers in 10 states, including Delaware, Iowa, Maine and Wyoming.
Source & credit
Source: WSHU, April 15, 2025: “CT lawmakers push to restore ‘Made in USA’ funding cut by Trump administration”, by Ebong Udoma.