Alabama Training Network Awarded $2.19 Million to Continue Serving as Alabama’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Training Network (ATN) has been awarded $2,191,702 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to continue its work as Alabama’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center.

The award is part of more than $30 million that NIST announced for 12 MEP centers in 11 states and Puerto Rico following a competitive funding process. The funding is designed to help small and medium-sized manufacturers increase their competitiveness and accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing.

As Alabama’s MEP Center and part of the Alabama Community College System, ATN works directly with manufacturers statewide to address real-world challenges, strengthen their workforce, and improve operations. Through customized training, technical assistance, and industry-driven solutions, ATN helps Alabama companies improve productivity, quality, safety, and competitiveness while preparing for the technologies and workforce needs of the future.

“This award is an investment not only in ATN, but in the manufacturers, employees, and communities we serve across Alabama,” said Keith Phillips, ATN Executive Director. “Our team works alongside companies every day to understand their challenges and provide practical solutions that make a measurable difference. We are grateful for NIST’s continued confidence in ATN and excited about the opportunity to build on that work over the next five years.”

Under the new agreement, MEP centers will place an increased emphasis on helping manufacturers successfully adopt advanced technologies and strengthening critical domestic supply chains. Centers will also develop technology-adoption metrics to be shared across the MEP National Network and engage manufacturers in priority industry sectors.

For ATN, the award provides an opportunity to continue expanding the resources and expertise available to Alabama manufacturers as they navigate changing technology, workforce demands, and an increasingly competitive global marketplace.

The NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership is a public-private partnership with centers throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The MEP National Network includes nearly 1,400 manufacturing advisers and experts working from more than 450 service locations nationwide.

Read NIST’s full funding announcement

About Alabama Training Network

The Alabama Training Network (ATN), part of the Alabama Community College System, delivers customized workforce training, technical assistance, and industry-driven solutions that develop talent, strengthen organizations, enhance competitiveness, and support Alabama’s economy. As Alabama’s NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, ATN connects manufacturers with expertise and resources designed to help them solve challenges, improve performance, and prepare for what’s next.

Media Contact:
Paige Caulfield
Alabama Training Network
[email protected]
www.atn.org

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.