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Reed & Whitehouse Announce $150,000 Grant to Strengthen RI Manufacturing

Press Release

By: Jack Reed
By: Jack Reed
Date: Sept. 3, 2015
Location: Providence, RI
Issues: Business and Consumers Government Budget and Spending

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced $150,000 in federal funding to continue support for the Polaris Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Based in Providence, Polaris MEP is a statewide non-profit organization that provides competitive manufacturing business improvement programs to help the state's manufacturing industry become more competitive and innovative. Polaris is a business unit of the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation and has worked since 1996 to help over 750 Rhode Island manufacturers achieve sustainable and profitable growth.

The federal grant was awarded under the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. MEP centers form a nationwide network of proven resources that enable manufacturers to compete globally, supports greater supply chain integration, and provides access to information, training, and technologies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

"This federal funding will assist our collective efforts to boost Rhode Island manufacturing and ensure local companies have the resources they need to compete, expand, and thrive here in Rhode Island. I am pleased to have supported funding to enhance our manufacturing base, and I will continue to work at the federal level to advance the ongoing efforts to jumpstart our economy and promote a manufacturing renaissance in Rhode Island," said Senator Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, who advocated for and helped include $130 million in the fiscal year 2015 omnibus appropriations bill for MEP.

"Local manufacturers have helped to fuel our state's economy for generations," said Senator Whitehouse. "This funding will allow Polaris to continue to help Rhode Island manufacturers adapt and thrive in today's global economy. I congratulate Polaris on receiving this funding and thank them for their good work."


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