U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) announced funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, the Manufacturing USA Institutes, and scientific research in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with bipartisan support.
Coons advocated for $15 million to fund NIST’s Manufacturing USA Institutes. Last year, the consortium led by the University of Delaware received an award from the Manufacturing USA Institute known as NIIMBL to lead the country’s first manufacturing innovation institute focused on biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
NIST committed to investing $70 million in this manufacturing institute over five years, and the appropriations funding maintains that commitment. The federal investment will be matched by private and other public funds, resulting in a nearly $200 million investment in the new institute.
Senator Coons also pushed for $140 million for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the only public-private partnership dedicated to providing technical support and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Delaware’s MEP operates through Delaware Technical Community College in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Delaware Office of Economic Development, and the Delaware state and local Chambers of Commerce. Coons leads the Manufacturing Jobs for America (MJA) campaign in the Senate to rally bipartisan support for legislation that would help manufacturers grow and create jobs.
Coons also pushed to appropriate funds for the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at $254 million, as well as EDA’s Regional Innovation Strategies Program, which was funded at $25 million.
This appropriations bill supports numerous programs that Delaware’s science communities rely on to enhance local economic development and conduct their ongoing research.
Senator Coons also pushed for strong funding for both the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), including programs like NASA Space Grant that benefit science and engineering students throughout Delaware. Senator Coons also fought for strong funding for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) at both NSF and NASA. These programs ensure that research funding is relevant and available to all areas of the country. Delaware is one of the 27 states and territories that qualify for NSF and NASA EPSCoR funding.
