February 6, 2003

BOISE STATE’S TECHHELP DODGES CUTS WITH RENEWED FUNDING

Congress has moved to reinstate funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program originally cut in the Bush Administration budget. The cut would have closed down local manufacturing extension center, TechHelp, based at Boise State University.

The House introduced a bill recommending $110 million for the program and the Senate has just passed the Omnibus Appropriations Resolution, recommending $103.5 million. MEP was funded with $106 million in fiscal year 2002.

Idaho’s U.S. delegates have led the way in building congressional support to reinstate federal funding for the program. Sen. Larry Craig was a strong MEP advocate on the Senate Committee of Appropriations while Sen. Mike Crapo, Rep. Butch Otter and Rep. Mike Simpson all signed letters of support. They joined over 10,000 manufacturers who wrote to Washington last year expressing concern over proposed cuts.

Gary Thompson, Executive Director of TechHelp, said he was gratified that Idaho’s leaders came to the support of manufacturers.

"Small, often remote manufacturers benefit from the TechHelp program," he said. "We know we are effective. Surveys last year showed our clients experienced $40 million of improvements, representing a 40 to 1 return on the state and federal funding we receive."

The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a national network of centers with 400 offices across the country and Puerto Rico that provides technical assistance and business support services to small and medium-sized manufacturers.

For more information on MEP or TechHelp, call 208 426-3689.

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Dougal Stewart

TechHelp

208 426-2266

Kathleen Craven

Boise State communications and marketing

208 426-3275

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