A proposed cut in the federal budget could force the closure of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

President Donald Trump’s current budget draft calls for eliminating the $124 million Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which provides up to half the funding for assistance centers like Bozeman’s Montana Manufacturing Extension Center http://www.montana.edu/mmec/ .

While the budget notes eliminating the funding would require the centers to make do with private and state revenue sources, MMEC director Paddy Fleming called that proposition untenable.

According to an MMEC survey http://www.montana.edu/mmec/documents/2016-MMEC-Evaluation.pdf , the organization’s efforts since 2012 have created and retained more than 2,300 jobs.

By Lewis Kendall Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/business/state-leaders-speak-out-against-proposed-manufacturing-cuts/article_438483a7-bb24-5a28-85b1-5d5c369e3716.html