Number: 97-104 Title: Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program: An Overview Authors: Wendy H. Schacht, Resources, Science, and Industry Division Abstract: Through FY2004, funding remained fairly constant despite the Administration's FY2003 budget that proposed an 88% reduction in support such that MEP centers "with more than six years' experience operate without federal contribution." Financing was cut 63% in FY2004, but restored in FY2005. The President's FY2006, FY2007, and FY2008 budgets again proposed funding reductions; however in FY2006 MEP received $104.6 million, $104.6 million in FY2007, and $89.6 million in FY2008 (14.4% less than the FY2007 figure). The President's FY2009 budget request (as amended) includes $2 million to close out the federally funded portion of the program. The FY2009 appropriations bill ordered reported from the House Committee on Appropriations would fund MEP at $122 million, while S. 3182, as reported from the Senate Committee on Appropriations, would provide $110 million. P.L. 110-69, the America COMPETES Act, authorizes funding for MEP through 2010 and creates several new manufacturing R&D programs. Pages: 6 Date: August 20, 2008