Contact: Phyllis Levine at 845.896.6934 X3001 or by Email
Senate Committee Restores
Funds that Support New York’s Small Manufacturers
New York’s small manufacturers are one step closer to holding onto a public-private program that helps them remain globally competitive. Earlier in July, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $106.6 million for the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program in the Department of Commerce's FY 2003 budget. The MEP program provides federal funding support to the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center (HVTDC) located in Fishkill.
Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-SC), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Justice, and State Subcommittee, made the funding recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. Senator Hollings has long been an ardent champion of small manufacturing and technology innovation issues. He is widely regarded as the founding father of the MEP program.
The Administration had requested only $12.9 million for MEP next year, citing the need to channel more funding to defense and homeland security programs. The MEP is currently funded at $106.5 million.
Senator Hollings noted, "This is no longer just about economic recovery. While we focus on the war on terrorism, we must remember that our small manufacturers produce a lot of the parts and products that our military needs. It's in our best interest -- both economically and militarily -- to make sure that our small manufacturers remain competitive."
Senator Schumer has been a strong supporter of the MEP and expressed his thoughts during a press conference this past April at Hudson Baylor in Newburgh, a client of the HVTDC. When the program’s budget was in danger of being cut from $106.5 million to only $13.5 million, Schumer stated “Pulling the plug on programs like this just as the country is starting to come out of recession makes no sense. Fortunately, there are 50 Senators and counting who recognize that and are standing strong on the side of growth and new opportunity.” The recent budget recommendation made by the Senate reflects what Senator Schumer and others already knew.
HVTDC serves firms throughout the Hudson Valley with support from NIST
MEP, the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research
(NYSTAR) as well as client fees. HVTDC provides technical and business
support services to Hudson Valley manufacturers.
IN FY 2000, HVTDC helped its clients realize $1.6 million in cost-savings,
$8.6 million in increased and retained sales, and helped to create and
retain 105 jobs in the Hudson Valley region.