Trump and the Threshold Fines Program, which has boosted U.S. manufacturing for decades
NIST spends less than $200 million a year on the MEP program, with most of the funds being transferred to states, and Puerto Rico made a batch of payments. Congressional aides told Wired that they hope all remaining centers will lose funds in the next year or so as their next check expires.
Depending on the state, the center is operated by a university, a government agency, or an independent nonprofit organization. States also help pay for MEP programs, but congressional aides believe it is difficult to make up for the loss of federal funds in many states, especially smaller ones.
Carrie Hines, president and CEO of the Alliance of Small Manufacturers, represents help centers in all states, said businesses pay for personalized consulting services they provide. “It’s not a handout,” she said, adding that traditional consulting firms may not be able to assist these small businesses, even in some areas. “We filled the unique technical assistance gap and put the boots on the factory floor,” Hines said.
Wyoming’s Help Center, known as Manufacturing Engineering, was one of the organizations that did not receive $700,000 expected by NIST on Tuesday. Other affected states include Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota. “These 10 centers are blind,” Hines said.
Jodie Mjoen, CEO and President of the North Dakota MEP Center Influence Dakota, said he has begun working with partners to find new ways to support its 21 existing projects in 93 manufacturers. According to Mjoen, the companies are trying to compete with tariffs and other regulations, deploy more AI and automation, and introduce new skills to employees. “That’s all,” he said, “Implement innovative emerging technology solutions” and keep “the U.S. manufacturing supply chain thrives and expands.”
Sinsabaugh of the New Mexico Accountant District said the cuts “will have a real and lasting negative impact on the manufacturing ecosystem in our state and nationwide.”
Center officials in other states did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
U.S. Representative Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat who is also a scientific committee, told Wade: “Trump is taking away the opportunity of working families in Delaware and I will be with everything I have to turn around this reckless and cruel decision.”
Case studies published by NIST and state partners show that consultants associated with the Help Center have already adopted how cybersecurity measures and set up more resilient factory lines, or simply align the executive team with company priorities. Popular brands on Nist’s website say they benefit from the help center, including Dot’s, the maker of pretzel snacks owned by Hershey, and Purina, Nestlé’s dog food division.
The Help Center also connects business with other resources. In the case of Pertech Industries, a Wyoming-based specialist printer manufacturer, trying to find skilled welding workers, a local MEP office connected it to a training company and later began offering welding programs. The office helped the training companies pay for it through state funding. Pertech did not respond to a request for comment.
