Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a total of $1,367,000 in federal funding for the New York State Foundation for Science Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). These federal funds will be used by NYSTAR to help strengthen and grow New York’s manufacturing industry. This funding is being allocated through the National Institute of Standards & Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) under the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“This is a great investment for New York’s manufacturing industry,” Senator Gillibrand said. “New York’s manufacturers powered us through the 20th century, but have been among those hardest hit by these difficult economic times. We cannot rebuild our economy without helping our manufacturers upgrade and compete in the new economy. I want to see ‘Made in America’ again, and this investment will help harness the power of our manufacturing tradition to rebuild and fuel the new economy – creating thousands of new, good-paying jobs right here in New York.”
“I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for her continued dedication to improving the environment for manufacturing and technology companies to grow,” stated Edward Reinfurt, Executive Director of the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). “ NYSTAR’s Technology Acceleration Project is honored to have been selected as one of 22 projects nationwide to receive NIST funding. We will be working to leverage the state’s impressive array of prototyping and technology facilities to better serve manufacturers in their quest to develop new and more innovative products.”
“This money allows us the resources to develop the MEP services in two areas, actively matching New York technology with New York Manufactures. And assisting those manufactures in designing and prototyping products made from these new technologies,” said James S. Senall, President, HTR.
“The Center for Economic Growth provides targeted technical assistance critical to helping retain and grow local manufacturers and technology businesses, from start-ups to mature companies. Senator Gillibrand’s commitment to insuring that funds are available is critical to our ability continue to help companies grow and expand in upstate New York. These funds will directly benefit our manufacturing base at a time when job creation and retention is so important to rebuilding New York’s economy,” said F. Michael Tucker, President and CEO, Center for Economic Growth (CEG).
New York has lost more than 160,000 manufacturing jobs since 2001, or nearly one-quarter of its manufacturing base. Every corner of New York State has been crippled by manufacturing job loss. In fact, 52 of New York’s 62 counties have shown significant manufacturing job loss since 2001, with the rest only showing short-term, unsustainable gains.
In a letter from March of last year to U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Chairman Mikulski and Ranking Member Shelby, Senator Gillibrand urged for additional funding for MEP, which provides resources to help small and medium-sized businesses retool, expand or establish homegrown manufacturing operations.
MEP is the only public-private program dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. It is a nationwide network of proven resources that enables manufacturers to compete globally, supports greater supply chain integration, and provides access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Between 2000 and 2003 in New York, a network of 10 independent non-profit organizations overseen by NYSTAR led MEP programs that helped New York manufacturers create or save 4,154 jobs, and earn $587 million in new revenue, cost savings and capital investments. This $1,367,000 MEP grant will also be administered by NYSTAR.
At a time when economic recovery is our number one priority, Senator Gillibrand will continue to fight for additional investments like this, which would help make New York a leader in the manufacturing industry, creating thousands of new jobs across the state.