70NANB25H097
Cooperative Agreement
Overview
Grant Description
Purpose: The purpose of this application is to secure continued funding for the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) to support and enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across the state.
For nearly three decades, NCMEP has been instrumental in driving productivity improvements, workforce development, and technological advancements for manufacturers, ensuring that North Carolina remains a leader in the manufacturing sector.
Administered by Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at North Carolina State University, NCMEP serves as a critical resource for businesses seeking to optimize operations, expand market opportunities, and adopt innovative technologies.
Activities to be performed: The activities to be performed under this initiative will focus on providing customized services and expertise to manufacturers throughout North Carolina.
Key areas of support include process improvement initiatives such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and efficiency enhancement programs.
Workforce development efforts will be prioritized to upskill employees and prepare them for evolving industry demands.
Additionally, NCMEP will assist manufacturers in business growth strategies, market expansion, and supply chain optimization to enhance resilience and mitigate risks.
Emphasis will also be placed on technology transfer and implementation, helping manufacturers adopt cutting-edge digital manufacturing solutions, automation, and smart factory technologies.
Furthermore, NCMEP will facilitate connections between manufacturers and vital resources, including federal and state agencies, industry associations, research institutions, and funding opportunities.
Expected outcomes: The expected outcomes of these efforts include increased productivity and operational efficiency among North Carolina manufacturers, resulting in enhanced competitiveness and long-term business growth.
The program aims to cultivate a highly skilled workforce, ensuring that employees are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern manufacturing.
Additionally, strengthening supply chains and promoting the adoption of advanced technologies will drive innovation across the sector.
Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to a positive economic impact, leading to job retention, business expansion, and revenue growth for North Carolina's manufacturing ecosystem.
Intended beneficiaries: The intended beneficiaries of NCMEP's initiatives include small and medium-sized manufacturers across North Carolina, who will gain access to critical resources, training, and consulting services.
Manufacturing employees will benefit from specialized workforce development programs that enhance their skills and career prospects.
Additionally, state and regional economic development organizations will leverage NCMEP's expertise to support industrial growth and attract investments to the region.
Government agencies and private-sector partners collaborating on workforce development and technology-driven manufacturing advancements will also benefit from NCMEP's leadership and strategic initiatives.
Subrecipient activities: Subrecipient activities under this initiative will be carried out in partnership with various organizations to maximize service delivery and reach.
Educational institutions will play a key role in providing workforce training programs and research collaborations.
Industry associations will support business development efforts and create networking opportunities for manufacturers.
Economic development organizations will assist in securing funding and strategic planning to drive regional growth.
Additionally, technology providers will collaborate with NCMEP to facilitate the implementation of digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that manufacturers stay competitive in an increasingly technology-driven market.
For nearly three decades, NCMEP has been instrumental in driving productivity improvements, workforce development, and technological advancements for manufacturers, ensuring that North Carolina remains a leader in the manufacturing sector.
Administered by Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) at North Carolina State University, NCMEP serves as a critical resource for businesses seeking to optimize operations, expand market opportunities, and adopt innovative technologies.
Activities to be performed: The activities to be performed under this initiative will focus on providing customized services and expertise to manufacturers throughout North Carolina.
Key areas of support include process improvement initiatives such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and efficiency enhancement programs.
Workforce development efforts will be prioritized to upskill employees and prepare them for evolving industry demands.
Additionally, NCMEP will assist manufacturers in business growth strategies, market expansion, and supply chain optimization to enhance resilience and mitigate risks.
Emphasis will also be placed on technology transfer and implementation, helping manufacturers adopt cutting-edge digital manufacturing solutions, automation, and smart factory technologies.
Furthermore, NCMEP will facilitate connections between manufacturers and vital resources, including federal and state agencies, industry associations, research institutions, and funding opportunities.
Expected outcomes: The expected outcomes of these efforts include increased productivity and operational efficiency among North Carolina manufacturers, resulting in enhanced competitiveness and long-term business growth.
The program aims to cultivate a highly skilled workforce, ensuring that employees are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern manufacturing.
Additionally, strengthening supply chains and promoting the adoption of advanced technologies will drive innovation across the sector.
Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to a positive economic impact, leading to job retention, business expansion, and revenue growth for North Carolina's manufacturing ecosystem.
Intended beneficiaries: The intended beneficiaries of NCMEP's initiatives include small and medium-sized manufacturers across North Carolina, who will gain access to critical resources, training, and consulting services.
Manufacturing employees will benefit from specialized workforce development programs that enhance their skills and career prospects.
Additionally, state and regional economic development organizations will leverage NCMEP's expertise to support industrial growth and attract investments to the region.
Government agencies and private-sector partners collaborating on workforce development and technology-driven manufacturing advancements will also benefit from NCMEP's leadership and strategic initiatives.
Subrecipient activities: Subrecipient activities under this initiative will be carried out in partnership with various organizations to maximize service delivery and reach.
Educational institutions will play a key role in providing workforce training programs and research collaborations.
Industry associations will support business development efforts and create networking opportunities for manufacturers.
Economic development organizations will assist in securing funding and strategic planning to drive regional growth.
Additionally, technology providers will collaborate with NCMEP to facilitate the implementation of digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that manufacturers stay competitive in an increasingly technology-driven market.
Awardee
Funding Goals
TO OPERATE AN MEP CENTER IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATES: TEXAS, TENNESSEE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OKLAHOMA, MICHIGAN, VIRGINIA, CONNECTICUT, NORTH CAROLINA, OREGON, COLORADO, AND INDIANA. THE MEP CENTER WILL PROVIDE MANUFACTURING EXTENSION SERVICES TO SMALL AND MID-SIZED MANUFACTURERS (SMMS) AND WILL BECOME PART OF THE MEP NATIONAL NETWORK, WHICH CONSISTS OF 51 MEP CENTERS LOCATED IN EVERY STATE AND PUERTO RICO, AND OVER 1,440 TRUSTED ADVISORS AND EXPERTS AT APPROXIMATELY 460 MEP SERVICE LOCATIONS.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Raleigh,
North Carolina
27695-7514
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
North Carolina State University was awarded
NC Manufacturing Enhancement Grant: Boosting Competitiveness for SMMS
Cooperative Agreement 70NANB25H097
worth $3,613,118
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology in July 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Raleigh North Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 5 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.611 Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
$3,613,118 (50.0%) of this Cooperative Agreement was funded by non-federal sources.
The Cooperative Agreement was awarded through grant opportunity MEP Center State Competition.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 7/3/25
Period of Performance
7/1/25
Start Date
6/30/30
End Date
Funding Split
$3.6M
Federal Obligation
$3.6M
Non-Federal Obligation
$7.2M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
70NANB25H097
SAI Number
70NANB25H097_0
Award ID URI
EXE
Awardee Classifications
Public/State Controlled Institution Of Higher Education
Awarding Office
1333ND DEPT OF COMMERCE NIST
Funding Office
1333ND DEPT OF COMMERCE NIST
Awardee UEI
U3NVH931QJJ3
Awardee CAGE
1E7H9
Performance District
NC-02
Senators
Thom Tillis
Ted Budd
Ted Budd
Modified: 7/3/25