The White House announced on January 25, 2021 a pending Executive Order (EO) called Executive Order on Ensuring the Future is Made in All of America by All American Workers (link at the bottom). According to the announcement, the EO establishes a substantial role for the MEP National Network in the new administration’s plans to bolster American manufacturing. The EO establishes a priority at the highest levels to use federal purchasing power to support American manufacturers of all types and sizes, across the country.

Rochester – The Rubber Group is a customer focused custom injection, transfer, and compression molder of engineered mechanical rubber components like precision seals, vibration isolators, bellows and specialized over-molded components for a wide variety of industries. Last April, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they had workforce losses and a 20% reduction of sales revenue from the Oil, Gas and Aerospace industries who were experiencing product slow-downs from their own clients…

Pembroke, NH – WS Dennison Cabinets has been creating custom cabinets for residential and commercial industries throughout New Hampshire and New England since 1986. When COVID-19 hit last spring, like so many other manufacturers across the country, Dennison was affected and lost some of their workforce. Looking to make production improvements, the company attended an NHMEP workshop that introduces the basics of a 5S Program, a lean tool which improves organization in a production environment.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST.

The DoD recently issued an Interim Rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), effective November 30, 2020.

On Thursday, October 29th, the 18th Annual Governor’s Advanced Manufacturing and High Technology Summit was successfully conducted online with over 200 participants in attendance, (mostly small to medium-sized manufacturers) making it one of the largest manufacturing events to be held virtually since COVID-19 began. Mike Mastergeorge, Vice President of Brazonics Inc. kicked off the summit thanking the teams at NH MEP, NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the NH Business and Industry Association. He thanked People’s United Bank and BAE Systems as the major sponsors and acknowledged the other sponsors as well. He introduced Taylor Caswell, Commissioner of NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, who made opening remarks and introduced Governor Chris Sununu. The governor acknowledged progress made in manufacturing and other sectors and encouraged manufacturing innovation in the state as the sector recovers.

Newport, NH – After years of continuous growth, Progressive Manufacturing, Inc. announces the purchase of a manufacturing facility located in Newport, New Hampshire. With significant improvements over the past few months, the renovated facility, offices, and warehouse are now home to Progressive Manufacturing and its fireplace brand, SÓLAS Contemporary Fire. Both businesses are fully operational at the new headquarters as of October 26, 2020.

With over 40,000+ square feet, the new facility has doubled Progressive Manufacturing’s space. The move provides a unique opportunity to create a modern manufacturing workplace, streamline production, and create a new showroom for the SÓLAS brand of fireplace products.

The Governor’s Office for Emergency Relief & Recovery (GOFERR) has announced the New Hampshire Housing Relief Program, an initiative designed to keep people from losing their housing and to secure or maintain permanent housing.

There is a concern about the current moratorium on evictions. Many people who could access these funds are not doing so since they cannot be evicted at this time. The issue is that the safeguard from eviction and these funds are currently scheduled to end on the same day (December 30, 2020).

Rochester, NH – The aerospace activities of Safran Aerospace Composites in Rochester, New Hampshire, were spotlighted during the 7th annual New Hampshire Manufacturing Month. In a virtual presentation on October 2, Human Resources Manager Sean Hoeing provided an overview of the company’s activities and career opportunities. At Rochester, Safran Aerospace Composites partners with Albany International to produce jet engine components.

This annual month-long celebration of manufacturing is organized by New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NHMEP) in collaboration with the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, the Business and Industry Association, the Council, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and many other partners.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Public Safety Communications Research Division (PSCR) is offering six prize challenges through its Open Innovation program to innovators, manufacturers, students and companies across industry. PSCR Open Innovation focuses on outcomes and results, not on specific requirements. The problem solvers (aka Challenge participants) determine the “how” and the “solution” by using their creativity to reach the desired goal. Participants may advance their research concept, commercial their products, or enhance their business products all while improving safety and efficiency for America’s First Responders.