“According to estimates reported by Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center manufacturing clients, the MEP National Network helped manufacturers achieve $15 billion in new and retained sales, $5 billion in new client investments, $2.6 billion in cost savings and over 108,000 jobs created or retained in fiscal year 2024.” 

All the manufacturing companies that work with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) MEP centers are asked to complete an impact survey. This survey is sent and tabulated by a third party and then submitted to NIST MEP. It is used to total impacts from each center, as well as totaling the collective impacts from the whole network. This data is used to present to Congress, who authorize and fund the program, with the expectation that they will see a return on their investment. That ROI translates to every $1 invested by the U.S. taxpayer, MEP returns approximately $25 to the treasury.

This survey is extremely important to Centers like VMEC to constantly show the value of our services and the achievement of our Mission. It leads to NIST MEP renewing our yearly grants and it shows the data that proves the positive impact on VMEC clients and the Vermont economy. In essence, the survey responses and the impacts gathered lead to continued funding for the program based on positive ROIs.

We must emphasize again for our Vermont clients the importance of completing the survey as fully and thoughtfully as you can. We know it is somewhat lengthy and obtuse. We have given our feedback to NIST MEP on several occasions looking for simplification and an easier to use process. They have been reviewing it.

We spend a lot of time following up on surveys and constantly reminding our clients to please help us by completing and submitting theirs.  This is time we could better spend helping more clients around Vermont. Also, we know it must annoy you to be constantly harangued to complete the survey. We also know that some of our work is difficult to relate to the survey even though it created a positive impact. We are happy to educate you when and where we can and continue to give our feedback to NIST MEP so all positive impacts may be reflected in future grant funding. 

We at VMEC encourage, ask and stand ready to help you complete the post-VMEC work survey once you receive it. It is critical to us for the maintenance of our funding and our work for you.

If you’ve not viewed this year’s annual reports, please do so when you’re able. Thank you! VMEC 2024 Impact Report and VMEC 30th Anniversary Report