Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership. The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) program is an initiative designed to revolutionize the way federal agencies leverage economic development funds. It encourages communities to develop comprehensive economic development strategies that will strengthen their competitive edge for attracting global manufacturer and supply chain investments. Through IMCP, the federal government is rewarding best practices – coordinating federal aid to support communities' strong development plans and synchronizing grant programs across multiple departments and agencies. Non-designated communities nationwide can learn from the best practices employed by these designated communities to strengthen American manufacturing.
Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge. This $26M multi-agency competition is a partnership among the EDA, NIST MEP, DOE, SBA and DOL's ETA with follow-on funding from the NSF. This initiative will assist the development and implementation of regionally-driven economic development strategies that support advanced manufacturing and clusters. In addition to the six agencies, the initiative will leverage technical assistance from up to eight other Federal agencies. Projects are underway.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has launched a new $1.5 million export initiative with involvement from SBA and MEP.
Rural Jobs and Accelerator Challenge $15M multi-agency competition to spur job creation and economic growth in distressed rural communities. Funded by EDA, USDA, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). 11 other federal agencies will provide support. Awardees have been announced.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced a partnership to encourage the creation of domestic manufacturing jobs and opportunities for U.S. suppliers through transportation investments.
The Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) will help to ensure manufacturers meet the U.S. Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) strict "Buy America" and "Buy American" standards, connecting U.S. manufacturers and suppliers for work on highways, railways and transit projects, and in the process help to create jobs.
Since it's inception in May 2010, the Alabama E3 Initiative has assisted over 40 manufacturers, identified over $3M in energy savings opportunities, resulted in $1M of actual savings impacts and recommended an average of $100,000 in annual savings through energy assessments.
Alabama E3 is composed of federal, state, and local partners who bring various resources together such as technical assistance, customized training, financial support and incentives, professional services, and access to organizations and individuals that can enhance E3's initiatives.