Provide manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers in the state of mississippi

The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $2,659,988 to Propel Education Forum Of Mississippi, Inc. (doing business as Msba Foundation) on April 1, 2026, under the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (CFDA 11.611) to deliver manufacturing extension services to small and medium-sized manufacturers in Mississippi.

The recipient will conduct supplier scouting, product design assistance, automation reviews and assessments, workforce development and planning, apprenticeship design, business competitive review assessments, and operations analysis. The center will collaborate at federal, state, and local levels and with institutes of higher education to help manufacturers increase profitability through new products, processes, services, customers, and markets, and to maintain competitive positioning. The recipient plans to subaward funds to conduct automation reviews and assessments, supplier scouting, product design, marketing, and training or certifications.

Work is performed in Jackson, Mississippi. The period of performance runs April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide manufacturing extension services to primarily small and medium-sized manufacturers in the state of mississippi.

Activities

Through its collaborations at the federal, state, and local level, and institutes of higher education, the center will work with manufacturers in the areas of supplier scouting, product design, automation, workforce development and planning, and training. The center will conduct business competitive review assessments, analysis of operations, apprenticeship design. Msba MEP continues their focus on workplace and workforce modernization strategies.

Expected outcomes

Provide U.S. Manufacturers in the state of mississippi access to resources to increase profitability, through new products, processes, services, customers, and markets. The center will also help manufacturers remain competitive.

Intended beneficiaries

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

Subrecipient activities

The recipient plans to subaward funds to participate in conducting the activities of this project to include automation reviews/assessments, supplier scouting, product design, marketing, and training/certifications.