Effective october 1, 2016 via this cooperative agreement this recipient was granted funding to operate an MEP center in the state of louisiana

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $1.6 million under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program (CFDA 11.611) to the Louisiana Additive Manufacturing Association, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The award funds the operation of an MEP Center in New Iberia, Louisiana, providing comprehensive manufacturing extension services to small and medium-sized manufacturers throughout the state. Core services include design and engineering support for product development, workforce training focused on process efficiency, marketing strategy development, supply chain optimization, and business development assistance. The Center also facilitates technology transfer from the public to private manufacturing sectors and supports startup manufacturers in identifying new markets and implementing organizational improvements.

In executing these services, the recipient plans to utilize subawards to support workforce development and technical assistance activities while collaborating with federal, state, and local partners. The MEP program's overarching objective is to enhance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and economic growth; this award specifically targets economic impact and job creation in Louisiana. As with all MEP Center awards, future funding is contingent upon satisfactory performance and subject to re-competition every ten years, with recipients required to maintain at least 50 percent cost-share of operating expenses.

Activities

Through its collaborations at the federal, state and local level, the center planned to help manufacturers grow and develop their gross sales or revenues by developing new products, enter new markets, adopt new or improved processes, provide marketing strategies, supply chains, and organizational changes. The center will work with start-up manufacturers in the areas of marketing, sales growth and business development strategiesexpected outcomes: provide U.S. Manufacturers in the state of louisiana design and engineering services for product development, diversification training that allows companies to identify potential new markets, train manufacturers workforce to improve process efficiency and focus on the importance of marketing campaigns to target specific markets. The center?s goal is to positively impact the louisiana economy and create new jobs.

Intended beneficiaries

Small and medium-sized manufacturers in the state of louisiana.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient plans to subaward funds to participate in conducting the activities related to work force development and technical assistance manufacturers. They will also facilitate the transfer of technology from the public sector to the private manufacturing sector with the overall goal of growing client profits and generating employment opportunities.