U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJEMP) will receive $400,000 in grant funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The grant, part of NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program, will provide technical assistant and optimization improvements to the state’s small- to mid-sized manufacturers while establishing a manufacturer’s network of supply chain intelligence. A part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the grant is designed to provide services and to expand existing capabilities for manufacturers in the state.
“As an integral part of the backbone of New Jersey’s economy, supporting manufacturers across the state creates a gateway for growing the state’s economy and providing New Jersey’s families and businesses with greater economic opportunity,” Menendez said. “With the $400,000 in federal funding, the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program will ensure that small and medium sized manufacturing companies remain connected to over 140,000 U.S. producers and suppliers, assisting companies and entrepreneurs across the state to innovate and thrive.”
The NJEMP funds will be able to use the funds to provide support for national supplier scouting that will ensure every MEP supplier scouting request receives a response; use a national database to support MEP supplier scouting and optimization; strengthen internal personnel configurations to support the MEP process supplier scouting requests; prioritized supply chain optimization activity; and increase New Jersey OEMs and manufacturers awareness of the National Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network.
“This funding will empower NJMEP to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers in our state while strengthening domestic supply chains nationwide,” Booker said.