This week, the OMA, along with 33 other state organizations, signed on to a joint letter through the Council of State Manufacturing Associations (COSMA) in support of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP).

The letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick detailed the importance of MEP programs across the nation and emphasized that a commitment by the administration to U.S. manufacturing included the critical funding that MEP provides.

MEP funding was cut earlier this month as part of the Trump administration’s plan to reduce federal spending, according to lawmakers and partner members. 4/15/2025