About GaMEP

About GaMEP

Meet the Team

Our Partners

Statewide Impact

Our Goals are Simple and Impactful.

The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) is a program within Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and a member of the MEP National Network™ supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). GaMEP’s mission is to enhance the economic well-being of Georgia by helping manufacturers improve their performance in the global market.

We work with more than 1000 manufacturers each year to implement on-site projects, conduct training, and connect manufacturers to Georgia Tech resources and our partners throughout the state.

Our goals are to:

  • Understand the current state of your company.
  • Learn about your future goals.
  • Assist your team in utilizing strategies and tools to meet the needs of your organization.
  • Advance your company’s competitiveness and ensure a sustainable future for manufacturing in Georgia.

What Sets Us Apart?

Experience

Practical experience working with leaders in manufacturing plants around the world.

Expertise

National and international experts in
the areas of service we provide.

Approach

Our team-based approach passes knowledge along to you to sustain improvements once the project is complete.

Location

Ten regions across the state with a region manager living and working within each and 30+ project managers throughout Georgia.

Connection

We become your partner and your connection to Georgia Tech and our statewide partners.

Mission

We succeed as you meet your goals: Our national sponsor measures our effectiveness by your business impacts.

How We Are Funded

GaMEP plays a key role in Georgia Tech’s economic development mission and is supported through a combination of funding from the State of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, and direct client fees.
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Slurry pump at GIW in Augusta, GA is for pumping liquid containing solid particles.

GaMEP Exists to Serve Georgia Manufacturers

As part of the MEP National Network™, we are dedicated to serving the manufacturing industry in Georgia and have a unique responsibility to boost Georgia’s economy by enhancing our clients’ competitiveness. Since 1960, only one public-private partnership in the state has been dedicated to delivering comprehensive, proven solutions to fuel growth and advance manufacturing.

1919

The Georgia General Assembly voted for an Engineering Experiment Station (now known at Georgia Tech Research Institute) to provide business and startup assistance and expand industry.

1934

Georgia Tech established an Engineering Experiment Station (under the 1919 legislation) with $5,000 in state funding, based on a recent faculty study of approximately 40 engineering experiments at universities around the nation.

1937

Georgia Power and the University System (now known as the University System of Georgia) set up an Industrial Development Council (now known as the Georgia Tech Research Corporation) to conduct contract research.

1946

The Engineering Experiment Station began conducting comprehensive economic analyses of multi-county regions with community and state funding, as well as resource utilization studies to identify opportunities for new industries with state funding.

1955

Georgia Tech faculty Dr. Kenneth C. Wagner received $50,000 from Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin to start an industrial development research program.

1956

Dr. Wagner established the Industrial Development Branch (within the Engineering Experiment Station) to support local state individuals and organizations on the “front line of the competition for new industrial facilities.”

1959

Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver requested Dr. Wagner develop a comprehensive plan for future industrial development in the state. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Commerce Small Business Administration provided funding for Jerry Lewis, an Industrial Development Branch employee, conduct a study identifying small manufacturers’ needs and problems.

1960

The Georgia General Assembly, based on Dr. Wagner’s and Lewis’ work, voted to replace the 1919 legislation with an Industrial Extension Service (within the Industrial Development Branch) to create statewide field offices that develop existing industry and provide technical assistance.

1961

The Industrial Extension Service opened its first field office in Rome with $30,000 from Governor Vandiver and $75,000 from the Coosa Valley Area Planning and Development Commission.

1964-1966

The Industrial Extension Service added field offices in Albany, Augusta, Brunswick, Carrollton, Macon, and Savannah.

1965

The U.S. Department of Commerce established the State Technical Services Act of 1965, based on the Industrial Services Branch, to provide cost-sharing grants to states to establish and operate programs that provide technical assistance to industry. The Industrial Development Division began hiring experienced engineers from industry for new programs.

1967

The field office in Brunswick moved to Douglas.

1970

The Industrial Development Division published an annual report that described the organization as the oldest and one of the largest university-affiliated industrial and economic development groups in the country.

1979

The Industrial Extension Service added a field office in Gainesville.

1984

The Industrial Extension Service added field offices in Brunswick, Columbus, Dublin, and Madison.

1993

Georgia Tech established the Economic Development Institute (now known as the Enterprise Innovation Institute) and transferred the Industrial Extension Service to this unit.

1994

The Industrial Extension Service joined the Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network and became the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP).

2025

GaMEP celebrated 65 years of service to Georgia’s manufacturers and received a commendation from Gov. Brian P. Kemp.

GaMEP'S Core Values

GaMEP values spelled out the word ASPIRE. It stands for Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence.

Regional Locations

GaMEP divides the state into ten regions led by region managers, who live and work within the region they serve. Contact your Region Manager or fill out our Contact Us form, and a GaMEP team member will get in touch with you shortly.
FIND YOUR REGION MANAGER
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Our Team

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Our Partners

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Statewide Impact

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Ready to get started?

GaMEP divides the state into ten regions led by region managers, who live and work within the region they serve. Contact your Region Manager or fill out our Contact Us form and a GaMEP team member will get in touch with you shortly.

FIND YOUR REGION MANAGER
CONTACT US