Manufacturing extension at Montana State awarded $840,000 to enable the center to continue assisting manufacturers across the state

BOZEMAN - The National Institute of Standards and Technology has awarded nearly $840,000 to the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University, enabling the MMEC to continue assisting manufacturers across the state adopt new technologies, upskill their technical workforce, strengthen their supply chains and attract new capital investment.

NIST could renew the award annually over the next four years for total funding of $4.2 million. NIST announced the award last month along with grants to 11 other centers that are a part of its Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The MEP is a national public-private network led by NIST that comprises centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, including the MMEC at MSU.

MSU's MMEC helps Montana manufacturers improve productivity, develop their workforces, strengthen their competitiveness and adopt new technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing.

"MMEC puts Montana's land grant mission into action by helping manufacturer's from across our state solve problems, adopt new technologies and create better opportunities in their communities," said Christine Foreman, dean of the MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. "Our strong partnership connects engineering expertise with industry needs, helping Montana's manufacturers thrive while keeping our college closely connected to the people we serve."

"For the MMEC, the renewal of this funding means we can continue doing the good work we've done for 30 years," said Paddy Fleming, director of the MMEC. "For the manufacturers, the trusted resource they've known for all these years is still available to them and can continue to help them improve their operations, implement new technologies, improve their supply chains and develop their workforce."

The renewal of funding is contingent upon positive performance reviews, fund availability and the continued alignment of the project to MEP, NIST and the U.S. Department of Commerce, according to the agreement.

"We have always measured our successes by the surveys we collect at the end of every project for every client, and the things that are surveyed include jobs created and retained, sales created and retained, cost savings and avoidance, and additional investments," Fleming said.

According to MMEC's 2026 Annual Report, manufacturers saw a $29.18 return on investment for every dollar they paid in project fees to MMEC. The calculation is based on cost savings, avoided unnecessary investments and gross margin from new or retained sales.

Likewise, every dollar the state of Montana puts toward the MMEC last year generated $2.13 in additional individual income tax revenue. The return on investment for the state is calculated by comparing the state's contribution to MMEC to Montana individual income taxes generated from jobs created or retained due to MMEC's efforts. In 2025, MMEC's activities generated approximately $2.4 million in Montana individual income taxes from both direct and indirect jobs related to its work.

NIST also requires MEP programs, including MSU's MMEC, to develop metrics for technology adoption that will be shared across the network, as well as active engagement with flagship manufacturers in priority sectors identified by each center, according to NIST materials.

"We've been doing these things for many years," Fleming said. "So, it won't be a change in direction for us; we've got the in-house expertise to enhance and expand our services related to advanced technologies and other federal priorities."

The MMEC is housed in MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.