Funding is part of more than $30 million NIST is investing in Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers across 11 states and Puerto Rico
AUBURN, MA. — September 16, 2026 — The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) has been awarded $2,959,870 in federal funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of a new round of cooperative agreements totaling more than $30 million awarded to 12 MEP centers in 11 states and Puerto Rico.
The award, announced by NIST on September 15, 2026, will support MassMEP’s work helping the Commonwealth’s small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing, to strengthen their competitiveness and grow their businesses.
“This investment from NIST is a powerful vote of confidence in Massachusetts manufacturers and in the work our team does every day to help them compete and grow,” said Kathie Mahoney, President of MassMEP. “Small and medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of our state’s economy, and this funding allows us to keep bringing them the hands-on expertise, technology adoption support, and workforce solutions they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.”
“On behalf of our Board, I want to thank NIST for its continued partnership and recognition of the vital role MassMEP plays in the Commonwealth’s manufacturing ecosystem,” said John Berg, Chair of the MassMEP Board of Directors. “This funding ensures MassMEP can continue to deliver real, measurable impact for manufacturers across Massachusetts for years to come.”
MassMEP is one of 12 MEP centers nationwide to receive funding in this round, joining organizations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Utah, and Vermont. Individual awards ranged from approximately $812,000 to more than $6.1 million, based on each state’s manufacturing base and program scope.
MassMEP extends its sincere thanks to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, including Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley; the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, the Massachusetts Legislature; the Massachusetts Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus and its co-chairs, Representative Jeffrey Roy and Senator Paul Feeney; and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) for their continued support of the Commonwealth’s manufacturing sector and for their support of this award.
NIST Awards More Than $30 Million to MEP Centers in 11 States and Puerto Rico.
About MassMEP
MassMEP is a trusted manufacturing advisor to clients in Massachusetts, helping manufacturers through three core service pillars: operational excellence programs, workforce development opportunities, and innovative growth strategies. As Massachusetts’ NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, MassMEP delivers consulting services, applied learning programs, and custom solutions tailored to small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses to fuel their success.
Learn more at massmep.org.
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