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It is no small feat to reportedly mismanage something so terribly that the federal government steps in and says you're done. But that's what happened last year with Ohio's Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, for which the Office of Inspector General says the Ohio Department of Development failed to report accurate financial results and ensure subrecipient expenses were allowable.
Now, the National Institute of Standards and Technology says it trusts the Ohio Manufacturer's Association Educational and Industrial Development Institute to handle the job. OMA says it will be responsible for "building and overseeing a statewide network that will provide hands-on technical assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers in technology adoption, process improvement, workforce development, supply chain and growth strategy."
Those are crucial roles -- supports that are difficult for smaller businesses to live without. OMA will have five years to get it right during the initial period of performance, before there is an opportunity for renewal.
"This is a major moment for Ohio’s small and medium-sized manufacturers," said Ryan Augsburger, president of the association. "We now have the opportunity to rebuild this program around the needs of manufacturers, with stronger accountability, better coordination and a clear expectation that every dollar should produce value on the plant floor."
That opportunity comes with approximately $12.2 million in annual program activity making its way back to Ohio, too.
Augsburger gave credit to the state and federal elected officials and manufacturing leaders who supported the association's application to manage the program.
But the OMA deserves a great deal of credit, too, for being the kind of organization that can help regain the federal government's trust. For them, now it's time to get to work.