So far in 2025, manufacturing in New Jersey has been experiencing significant challenges. Tariffs, reduced state funding for capital equipment, and potential federal and state funding cuts for the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) have created an uncertain environment for this essential sector.
In response, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), deeply rooted in manufacturing for over a century, is intensifying efforts to support and defend this crucial industry. Michele Siekerka, NJBIA President and CEO, remarked, "This is a time of anxiousness and concern for our manufacturers, and for NJMEP, which provides our manufacturers with so much in terms of tools, training, and expertise to improve processes and bolster their workforce."
Understanding these issues, NJBIA is actively working to communicate the challenges to policymakers and offer manufacturers opportunities to express their concerns, aiming to stabilize the industry.
The Conference of State Manufacturers Associations, chaired by Siekerka, has reached out to the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging ongoing support for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which faced possible defunding. In correspondence to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the group recommended maintaining funding for the MEP centers with a proposed restructure to benefit U.S. manufacturers further. "A restructured and refocused MEP network will help American manufacturers improve their productivity and competitiveness," stated the letter.
Although a temporary reprieve has been granted to the ten affected centers, ensuring funding through the fiscal year, Siekerka stresses vigilance. "While this reprieve is a lifeline for those affected MEP centers, it is not a guarantee as it relates to future funding for all of the MEP network," she commented.
Looking to address tariff challenges, NJBIA will hold a virtual Tariffs & Trade Town Hall on May 5, focusing on the impact of tariffs under the Trump administration, especially the 145% tariffs on China. Siekerka expressed the aim to gather firsthand experiences from New Jersey manufacturers to guide strategic actions. Alongside this, a short pulse poll has been launched to gather data on the impacts of tariffs, "to get a baseline of the top issues and impacts of tariffs," said Siekerka.
Since New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy proposed the FY26 budget, NJBIA has been advocating for increased support for manufacturers and NJMEP. Key concerns include the plan to cut a $10 million allocation for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's Manufacturing Voucher Program and the potential $2 million state funding cut for NJMEP. Reflecting on these proposed changes, NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz stated, "Both programs have proven to be important resources to New Jersey manufacturers, and supporting manufacturers is one of the best ways to support the creation of good jobs."
NJBIA and NJMEP will host the State of the State of Manufacturing event on May 22 at the Statehouse, which promises significant discussions amidst the current challenges. Emigholz emphasized, "We need that serious approach very much this year given the circumstances."
The event will feature a Manufacturing Caucus hearing, the announcement of the Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey contest winner, and a networking event at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton.
