July 18, 1996 96-214

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER AT NAVAL ORDNANCE STATION GETS A BOOST FROM THE SENATE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell announced today that the U.S. Senate approved his request for $6 million in funding for continued operation of the Manufacturing Technology Transfer Center (MTTC) located at the Naval Ordnance Station in Louisville, Kentucky (NOSL). The funding was included in the FY97 Defense Appropriations bill which passed the Senate today.

The MTTC is the first federally funded industrial research and development center in Kentucky. Operating with limited financial resources from 1993 to 1995, the MTTC helped over 200 Kentucky small businesses with technical assistance and training. In addition, working partnerships have been developed with Kentucky education and training institutions, including the University of Kentucky Robotics Center, Jefferson Community College, Kentucky TECH, University of Louisville Speed School and Eastern Kentucky University.

"The MTTC is a proven winner," said McConnell. "The center has been successful in helping small businesses in Louisville and across Kentucky prepare its workers for the future. I am pleased the Senate approved my request for funding, as it will allow MTTC to continue to improve Kentucky's industrial technology base."

The House passed its FY97 Defense Appropriations bill earlier this year. The differences between the two bills will be worked out in a House/Senate conference.