The Tennessee MEP program participated in the annual “Hill Day” hosted by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition on March 6-7. During Hill Day, the representatives from each MEP center visit with members of their congressional delegation to inform them of the work of their state’s MEP center. The federal government provides grant funding for the Hollings National Manufacturing Extension Partnership program through the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Tennessee MEP attendees met with staff from Senator Marsha Blackburn’s office, Senator Bill Haggerty’s office, and with staff in six of Tennessee’s nine congressional districts. 

In addition to our TMEP staff, this year our team was joined by Whitney Winter for these visits. Winter is the president of Meco, a manufacturer located in Greenville, TN. She shared with the congressional offices the importance of the MEP program to her company and how our MEP services have enabled Meco to improve their manufacturing operations.

Pictured above, TMEP Business Manager Misty Depriest meeting with Sen. Blackburn’s staffer, Tori Smith. Misty explained how our team of Tennessee MEP are deployed to deliver training and consulting services for small and medium sized manufacturers.

Seen above is President of MECO Whitney Winter talking with Julia Block in Representative Diana Harshbarger’s office about Meco, which is located in the representative’s congressional District 1. She discussed how UT CIS and the Tennessee MEP program has helped her company over the years.