The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce, has recently granted approximately $400,000 to each of its MEP National Network™ (MEPNN) Centers across the United States and Puerto Rico.
CIRAS, Iowa’s MEP center, was awarded the funding to help build connections across Iowa’s supply chains and support reshoring trends. Authorized through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, this pilot program empowers centers like CIRAS to provide specialized services focused on supply chain resiliency for small and medium-sized manufacturers.
As a result of the funding, CIRAS will participate in building domestic supply chain resiliency and optimization by working within Iowa and the MEPNN to identify domestic sources and manufacturing capability. Supplier scouting services will be expanded. These efforts to identify domestic sources are expected to strengthen supply chain networks. A strong emphasis will be placed on facilitating connections and engagement among the manufacturing community and establishing a better understanding of U.S. supplier capability and capacity.
This ambitious initiative is expected to impact the growth and resilience of the domestic manufacturing industry significantly and positively as it works towards securing and enhancing the nation’s supply chains.
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For more information, contact Melissa Burant at mmburant@iastate.edu.