Raleigh, N.C. (July 1, 2025) — NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions is proud to announce it has been awarded one year of federal funding to support the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). The award results from an open recompetition process led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.
The renewed federal investment comes at a pivotal time, as manufacturers across the country face challenges and opportunities in workforce development, supply chain resilience, smart manufacturing, and reshoring.
“We’re honored to once again earn this vital support for our work in North Carolina,” said Phil Mintz, Director of NCMEP. “Manufacturing is the backbone of our state’s economy, and this award ensures we can continue to help our manufacturers innovate, build resilient operations, and expand market opportunities.”
The funding will enable NCMEP to continue its mission of strengthening North Carolina’s manufacturing sector and contributing to the nationwide effort to revitalize American manufacturing. North Carolina has a large and diverse manufacturing sector that contributes over 13% of the state’s GDP (about $105 billion annually) and employs roughly 467,000 people.
Since its first award in 1995, NCMEP has supported thousands of manufacturers statewide through a collaborative network of partners, including the program administrator, NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES), which serves as the extension and outreach team for the NC State University College of Engineering. Other partners include the Economic Development Partnership of NC, the Polymers Center of Excellence, the Manufacturing Solutions Center, First Flight Venture Center – Hangar6, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Industrial Solutions Lab, and NC State University Wilson College of Textiles.
Together, the NCMEP partners provide expertise in supply chain optimization and risk mitigation, technology adoption and implementation, as well as workforce training and development. Additional NCMEP activities connect manufacturers to resources for prototyping, testing, improved process optimization, cybersecurity, business growth, innovation, market expansion, talent development, sustainability, quality systems, and compliance with occupational safety and health regulations.
NCMEP partners stand ready to help North Carolina’s manufacturing sector remain globally competitive, agile, and future-focused. NCMEP is an integral part of the manufacturing ecosystem, enabling America to develop more innovative products that solve problems and strengthen the American project.
A Proven National and Statewide Impact
The award is part of the broader MEP National Network, a program with a proven record of strengthening U.S. manufacturing. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, MEP centers nationwide helped manufacturers achieve the following:
- Created or retained over 108,395 U.S. manufacturing jobs
- Generated $15 billion in new and retained sales
- Realized $5.0 billion in new investments
- Assisted more than 35,000 manufacturers
In North Carolina, NCMEP client projects over the past five years have resulted in:
- More than 21,000 jobs created or retained
- Over $1.4 billion in new or retained sales
- More than $150 million in cost savings
- Over $3.6 billion in new investments
These outcomes reflect NCMEP’s commitment to delivering practical, measurable results for North Carolina’s manufacturers, from rural communities to urban innovation corridors.
“Our mission is clear: to help manufacturers thrive and bring American manufacturing strength back home,” said Mintz. “This funding ensures we can continue doing just that, for our companies, our communities, and our state’s economy.”
For more information about NCMEP and its support for manufacturers, visit www.ncmep.org.
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About NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions
NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions was established in 1955 as the extension and outreach team for the NC State University College of Engineering, providing resources, tools, and customized programs to help businesses survive, thrive, and grow. Industry Expansion Solutions manages the Manufactured in NC online supply chain database resource, the Southeastern OSHA Training Institute Education Center for the Atlanta Region, and the NC State University Minerals Research Laboratory.
Industry Expansion Solutions supports economic development, productivity, efficiency, quality, and profitability for the manufacturing industry, as well as educational and research institutions, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies, defense contractors, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors, and government agencies. Regional Managers can identify the resources for improved process optimization, cybersecurity strategies, business growth, innovation, market expansion, talent development, sustainability, quality systems, and occupational safety and health compliance. For more information, visit: ies.ncsu.edu
About North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP)
The North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is a network of North Carolina-based organizations working together to help manufacturers become more efficient, sustainable, and globally competitive. Supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program.
The NIST MEP program is a public-private partnership dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Through a national network of state-based centers, such as NCMEP, the program delivers hands-on technical assistance, business improvement services, workforce development, and supply chain solutions that help manufacturers grow, compete globally, and create high-quality jobs.
NCMEP delivers a comprehensive portfolio of services to manufacturers statewide through strategic collaboration with both public and private sectors. NCMEP is administered by NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and is joined by partners from the Economic Development Partnership of NC, the Polymers Center of Excellence, Manufacturing Solutions Center, Hangar6, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Industrial Solutions Lab, and NC State University Wilson College of Textiles.
