Husted urges Commerce Secretary to reinstate federal partnership strengthening Ohio manufacturing

December 22, 2025
“Given the profound economic implications, the lack of due process and the bipartisan, longstanding Congressional mandate for a strong MEP program, we urge the Department of Commerce to restore operational continuity while the audit process proceeds to completion.”
WASHINGTON—Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined members of the Ohio Congressional delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging him to lift the suspension of the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) award. The state was notified of the award’s suspension earlier in December.

In addition to Husted, Reps. Max Miller (R-Ohio), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Robert Latta (R-Ohio), David Joyce (R-Ohio), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio) and David Taylor (R-Ohio) signed the letter.

Husted also sent aletterto Lutnick on December 11, 2025 requesting immediate and specific clarification on why the federal funding for the Ohio MEP program is being suspended.

The award was suspended on December 5, 2025.

“Given the severity of the consequences to Ohio manufacturers, workers, and the state’s industrial competitiveness, we respectfully but urgently request that the Department of Commerce pause or lift the suspension immediately, pending completion and publication of the final audit,”wrote the lawmakers.

“Every dollar invested in Ohio’s MEP network produces an estimated $18–$20 in economic output, making it one of the highest-return economic-development investments available to state and federal policymakers,”they continued.

“The program’s technical assistance—ranging from automation and robotics integration to cybersecurity upgrades, supply-chain strengthening, workforce development and AI-enabled plant modernization—is indispensable to the competitiveness of both rural and urban manufacturers across the state. For many Ohio companies, the MEPistheir engineering, process-improvement and innovation capability,”the policymakers added.

“The Ohio MEP system underpins critical supply chains in defense, aerospace, automotive, semiconductors, medical devices, food production and advanced materials. Halting these services jeopardizes ongoing projects in automation, cybersecurity, digital modernization, workforce development and productivity improvement—many of which are essential to national security supply chains and reshoring efforts,”the members continued.

“Given the profound economic implications, the lack of due process and the bipartisan, longstanding Congressional mandate for a strong MEP program, we urge the Department of Commerce to restore operational continuity while the audit process proceeds to completion,”the lawmakers concluded.

Background:

Ohio’s MEP system is a nationally recognized public–private partnership that strengthens the small and mid-sized manufacturers who form the core of our industrial economy. The program delivers essential modernization services to more than 2,000 manufacturers annually. These efforts produce enormous economic returns, including:

The full letter ishere.