Florida MEP: Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2007

For more information please contact:
Gene Lussier
Board Chair, Florida MEP
954-565-0047

FLORIDA MEP RELEASES IMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT NUMBERS
Numbers confirm Florida MEP’s significant impact on the State’s economy
CELEBRATION, FL - The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Florida MEP) recently released its five year numbers, further solidifying its importance in strengthening Florida’s economy and encouraging small business growth. Between 2001 and 2006, the Florida MEP served close to 800 small- to medium-sized manufacturers in the state through federal funding alone, helping companies:

	•	Create or retain more than 6,500 jobs
	•	Save nearly $100 million in costs
	•	Increase or retain more than $470 million in sales
	•	Generate or retain $295 million in additional tax and non-tax revenues, including $63 billion at the state and local levels
	•	Contribute $33.8 billion to Florida’s gross domestic product in 2005, significantly overshadowing agriculture’s contribution of $6.3 billion
	•	Offer an average employee wage of $42,423 in 2005, supplying Florida’s workforce with $25,527 more in annual wages than the tourism industry
	•	Earned $33.1 billion of the $33.4 billion garnered through Florida exports

“These outstanding numbers are proof that the Florida MEP’s existence is critical to the State’s economy, so it’s imperative to recognize the bottom line; Florida needs to protect its manufacturing base,” said Richard Peck, former chair of the Florida MEP board of directors and CEO of QTM, Inc. in Oldsmar, Fla. “Unless we continue to increase our commitment to support manufacturing, we will lose the chance to invest in our state’s future by ensuring manufacturing stays in Florida and is competitive with other states and other countries. I cannot think of a better return on investment for our tax dollar.”

Currently, Florida is one of only five states in the nation which does not support the MEP through state matching funds. With federal funding the program has been able to produce significant regional and statewide economic benefits, but with state matching funds, its impact could be much greater. Without the support of state matching funds, the Florida MEP is in danger of losing federal funds and ultimately its valuable programs.

“To flourish in an increasingly global economy, small- to medium-sized manufacturers must have the facilities, resources and training to compete for multimillion dollar state and federal project bids, which are vital for Florida’s economic health,” said Al Stimac, president of the Manufacturers Association of Florida and CEO of Metal Essence in Altamonte Springs. “However, recent cuts in funding to worker training programs make it even harder for our state’s manufacturing companies to access the resources that will enable them to compete in a global market.”

Through programs facilitated by the Florida MEP, companies learn tactics to save money, adequately compete in the marketplace, and implement more efficient management strategies. They also teach lean manufacturing methodologies, which present the biggest opportunity for immediate bottom-line improvements.

Melbourne-based, Sea-Watch Technologies, Inc. recently benefited from the Florida MEP’s programs.

“Complimentary funding from a grant provided by the Florida MEP helped reduce the pressure of financial demands we faced as a ‘start-up’, that competed with ‘training’,” said Loretta Kish, president and CEO of Sea-Watch Technologies. “The training we consequently received, allowed us to integrate software modules and create our final product, which was critical to our business.”

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Florida’s Space Coast is an avid supporter of the Florida MEP’s programs and grants. Its Industry Advisory Committee is dedicated to enhancing support of the National Association of Manufacturers and its objectives, which are to advance manufacturing, including reducing domestic production costs, promoting innovation and ensuring an adequate supply of skilled workers.

“We firmly believe the Florida MEP is vital to the state’s economy, as shown by its five year numbers release,” said Lynda Weatherman, President & CEO for the EDC of Florida’s Space Coast. “Its programs help level the international playing field, giving the state’s manufacturing companies a genuine chance to thrive, thereby increasing the states economy through earned export tax and increased job growth.”
For more information about the Florida MEP and its programs, visit www.FloridaMEP.org.

####

About Florida MEP
The Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Florida MEP), supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, helps small- to medium-sized manufacturers (SME’s) identify and implement advanced manufacturing and management technologies to help them compete in and increasingly global market. Through programs facilitated by Florida MEP, companies learn tactics to save money, adequately compete in the marketplace, implement more efficient management strategies, and apply lean manufacturing methodologies, which present the biggest opportunity for immediate bottom-line improvements. The Florida MEP is part of a nationwide network of 59 MEP centers enabling manufacturers to compete globally, supporting greater supply chain integration and providing access to technology for improved productivity.

-END-

####