Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center supported with funding

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center is getting continued funding, at least through this spring, according to an announcement from U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin.

The center, which has an office in Marquette, is the Michigan arm of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which links public and private resources to help small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state.

It’s received federal funding in the past, and the senators say that the award was extended because of the need for the center’s services in Michigan. Among those services are helping Michigan’s 12,600 small manufacturers expand their operations, become more efficient, increase sales, and create jobs.

“MMTC appreciates the longstanding support of the MEP network provided by Senators Stabenow and Levin. They understand the importance that manufacturing provides as an economic driver across our country and especially in Michigan. Each manufacturing job is significant, as it generates output in so many other sectors of the economy,” says Mike Coast, president of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center.

The award was in the amount of $945,000, and was awarded through the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology. It will support the center’s operations through June of 2012.

The other offices of the center are in Plymouth, Grand Rapids, Saginaw and Traverse City.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Mike Coast, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center