So far in 2025, manufacturing in New Jersey has faced an assembly line of uncertainty.
From tariffs to state funding cuts for capital equipment to potential massive federal and state funding cuts to the extremely effective New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, those who make are not getting many breaks.
That’s why NJBIA, whose own manufacturing roots go back well over a century, is pulling out all the stops in the coming weeks to protect and defend one of New Jersey’s most vital industries.
“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,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka.
“We will be contextualizing these challenges to our policymakers and giving our manufacturers multiple opportunities to voice their concerns in the hopes that we can bring some much-needed stability to the industry.”
Here’s what NJBIA is doing – and has done already:
The Federal Policy Landscape
The Conference of State Manufacturers Associations (COSMA), which is chaired by Siekerka, has urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to continue support for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, which was in the process of being defunded by the Trump administration earlier this month.
In a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the group recommended that funding continue for the MEP centers, while also undergoing a targeted restructuring plan that would further benefit U.S. manufacturers.
“A restructured and refocused MEP network will help American manufacturers improve their productivity and competitiveness,” the letter said.
“If we are going to realize the full potential of reshoring American manufacturing jobs, it will take resources that are laser-focused on and managed by those closest to the manufacturers in each state.”
The Department has since issued a reprieve to the initial 10 affected centers who already lost their funding and confirmed those impacted MEPs will see renewed funding through the end of the fiscal year amid “further review and ongoing evaluation.”
“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,” Siekerka said. “That is why we must remain vigilant in our efforts as outlined in the letter.”
Tariffs & Trade Virtual Town Hall
On May 5, NJBIA is hosting a free and virtual Tariffs & Trade Town Hall for New Jersey manufacturers impacted by federal tariffs under the Trump administration, especially those dealing in real time with the 145% China tariffs.
“This is really where we want to hear firsthand from New Jersey manufacturers about how these new tariffs are impacting their businesses,” Siekerka said. “We have been very active in our advocacy for our manufacturers, but this session should help formulate strategic next steps on their behalf.”
Tariffs Pulse Poll
In concert with the virtual town hall, NJBIA this week went into the field with a short pulse poll on tariff impacts – good, bad or otherwise.
“We know how busy our manufacturers are,” Siekerka said. “But this is a short four- question poll to get a baseline of the top issues and impacts of tariffs. We look forward to seeing this data to inform us in real time and to relay to our policymakers.”
Advanced Advocacy
Since Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed his FY26 budget, NJBIA has been testifying and lobbying for more support for New Jersey manufacturers and NJMEP.
At issue directly for manufacturers: The elimination of a $10 million budget line item for NJEDA’s wildly successful Manufacturing Voucher Program grant program – which covers a portion of investments for key equipment costs that New Jersey manufacturers face.
At issue for NJMEP: The proposed elimination of $2 million in state funding, which would be on top of the potential federal funding loss NJMEP may also face this year.
“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,” said NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz.
“In particular, NJMEP is one of the most effective of its kind in the nation when you consider the metrics of jobs it helped to create or retain and the sales it supported.
“The governor’s budget proposal definitely has some mixed messages as it relates to manufacturing. On the one hand, there’s a new manufacturing tax credit to incentivize next-generation manufacturers from around the world to come to New Jersey. That’s great. But we shouldn’t short the manufacturing assets we already have here today.”
State of the State
NJBIA and NJMEP, as part of their Manufacturing Counts partnership, will again host the State of the State of Manufacturing event on May 22 at the Statehouse.
Typically, this event brings together industry leaders, stakeholders, STEM firm executives, and lawmakers to discuss ways to improve the climate for New Jersey’s manufacturing industry.
But the Manufacturing Caucus hearing in the middle of the event promises to be a very powerful display given the challenges to New Jersey manufacturers and NJMEP this year.
“This is an important hearing every year because it is strictly about manufacturing and we’re blessed to have a manufacturing caucus that takes the industry seriously,” Emigholz said. “We need that serious approach very much this year given the circumstances.”
The State of the State event will also include a Hill Day, the announcement of the winner of Manufacturing Counts’ Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey contest and a networking event at Cooper’s Riverview in Trenton.
