NIST to Continue Funding for Chicago Manufacturing Center

The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology is providing $2.8 million to fund the Chicago Manufacturing Center for its fourth year of operation. The Chicago center is part of the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide network of centers offering technical and business assistance to small and mid-sized manufacturers.

"CMC helps companies identify, define and implement changes that improve the quality of production and sales at a price that small manufacturers can afford," said Demetria Giannisis, acting president of CMC. "Our client base has expanded significantly in the past three years and with the continued support of NIST, we will be of greater assistance to Chicago-area companies."

Established in 1994, CMC serves the six-county Chicago metropolitan area. To date, CMC has conducted 1,708 initial on-site company visits, performed 312 assessments, and completed 389 projects addressing a broad range of improvement and modernization issues.

NIST's decision to continue funding the center followed a review by NIST of the center's knowledge of Chicago's smaller manufacturers, its technology and business resources, technology delivery mechanisms, and management and financial plan. Local CMC funding sources also include the City of Chicago, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and major corporations and foundations.

Fact sheets on the NIST MEP and the Chicago Manufacturing Center are attached. News and general information on the MEP and the Chicago center also are available on the Internet's World Wide Web at: http://www.mep.nist.gov. Smaller manufacturers can call 800-MEP-4MFG (800-637-4634) to reach the MEP center serving their area.

A non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department's Technology Administration, NIST promotes U.S. economic growth by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards.