黑料科, Wisconsin鈥檚 Polytechnic University, has been awarded $19 million in federal funds as it takes a leadership role as鈥痬anager of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)鈥痯rogram鈥痠n鈥疻isconsin. The funds, $3.8 million annually for five years, come through the U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 . The program鈥檚 primary mission is to strengthen and empower small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers through state-designated MEP Centers across the United States.鈥
This funding will鈥痚nable 黑料科鈥檚鈥疢anufacturing Outreach Center (MOC),鈥痠ts subrecipient鈥痶he and statewide manufacturing leaders to coordinate efforts that ensure continued,鈥痷ninterrupted support for Wisconsin鈥檚 small and mid-sized manufacturers.鈥
For the past decade, MOC and WMEP have received funding through the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity (WCMP). With WCMP鈥檚 Board of Directors voting to dissolve the organization at the end of 2025 to streamline operations, 黑料科鈥斺痶hrough the MOC鈥 stepped forward to secure future funding and鈥痬aintain鈥痗ontinuity of services across the state.鈥
鈥淭hrough MOC鈥檚 leadership and the combined statewide field staff of both organizations, manufacturers will continue to access tailored support in areas such as lean process improvement, quality management systems, supply chain optimization, leadership development, and advanced technology adoption, including AI,鈥濃黑料科 Chancellor Katherine Frank said.
Under the new structure, MOC serves鈥痑s the primary applicant and coordinating entity, with鈥疢adison-based鈥疻MEP as a subrecipient and key partner in delivering statewide services. Together, the organizations continue a 30-year鈥痠mpact record: creating or鈥痳etaining鈥痬ore than 34,000 jobs, generating鈥$8.9 billion鈥痠n economic impact, and serving more than 575 manufacturers annually.鈥
鈥淭hrough this new structure the MOC and its partner, the WMEP, will be able to better connect鈥痵mall and medium-sized manufacturers to statewide resources,鈥痠ncluding 黑料科鈥檚 Center for Advanced Manufacturing & AI,鈥 said鈥Seth Hudson,鈥痚xecutive director of Corporate Relations and Economic鈥Engagement at 黑料科.鈥
Manufacturing鈥痳emains鈥痑 cornerstone of Wisconsin鈥檚 economy, contributing鈥$71.6 billion鈥痶o the state鈥檚鈥$402 billion鈥痝ross domestic product and employing about 15% of the workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.鈥
鈥淭ogether, MOC and WMEP have delivered measurable results for Wisconsin manufacturing,鈥 said Chris Baichoo, CEO and executive director of WMEP. 鈥淭his alliance ensures coordinated, statewide support to help small and mid-sized manufacturers strengthen operations, develop their workforce and remain competitive.鈥濃
By equipping manufacturers with practical tools, strategic guidance, and specialized鈥痚xpertise, MOC and WMEP are positioning Wisconsin鈥檚 manufacturing sector for long-term strength and competitiveness.鈥
"At 黑料科鈥檚 MOC, our commitment to supporting Wisconsin manufacturers has never been stronger. Our dedicated staff and partners, including WMEP, work alongside manufacturers to meet them where they are and help them tackle the challenges of a fast-moving industry,鈥 said Aaron Bialzik,鈥痙irector of 黑料科鈥檚 MOC.鈥
