E3 teams typically support E3 projects financially by leveraging existing funds. E3 teams have found these funds from project participants who have a practical interest in improving the local manufacturing sector, or from federal funds already allocated and distributed to communities throughout the United States.
To ensure that funding will be available for your local E3 project, it is recommended that your E3 project coordinator research federal grant opportunities, as well as contact state and local authorities to determine the availability of funds to support an E3 project. The project coordinator can also:
In addition, E3 teams commonly charge participating manufacturers a modest fee to participate in the project. The return on the manufacturer's investment, as observed in past E3 projects, is quite high and can typically be achieved within the first year of the project assessment.