Manufacturing group awarded federal grant

WASHINGTON – The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership will receive $856,668 in funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to fund programs that support smaller manufacturers seeking to become more globally competitive, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

“The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership has served more than 400 clients in our state,” said Snowe and Collins in a joint statement announcing the grant. “This funding will enable them to reach out to even more manufacturers in Maine and help these businesses to meet the challenges of the 21st century’s global economy.”

The Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s six Maine offices serve companies throughout the state. Each center is a partnership typically involving federal, state and local governments; industry; educational institutions; and other sources of expertise, information and funding support. In Maine, the program has helped to complete 298 projects and create 178 new jobs. The partnership estimates there are more than 2,250 manufacturers throughout the state eligible for the services offered at each of its centers.

Funding is provided through the National Institute of Standards and Technology to bolster about $2.1 million already allocated for this year.