The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) was established in 1989 as one of the three original extension centers under the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. Under the original 1989 agreement, the University of South Carolina (USC) managed SCMEP (then named Southeast Manufacturing Technology Center, or SMTC), and in 1992, a non-profit organization was retained to manage the program. SCMEP became an independent organization in 1996, advised by a fiduciary Board of Directors.

The President of SCMEP reports to a private sector/manufacturing-majority Board of Directors. The Board includes leaders from state universities and technical colleges, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Governor's office. SCMEP has increased the number of board members with emphasis on representatives from the small manufacturers' segment of the industry. The Board provides advice and guidance for the continual improvement of the program and promotes the outcomes of the Center throughout the community, acting as political liaisons.

In addition to small manufacturers on the Board, SCMEP supports and receives strategic guidance from the Lowcountry Manufacturers Council, as one board member is a representative of the Lowcountry Manufacturers Council and SCMEP's President is a board member for the Council.

SCMEP receives funding from three primary sources: federal and state funding and project revenues. The majority of the federal funds are Department of Commerce funds and flow to SCMEP through a cooperative agreement. The federal funds are matched with state funds, allocated as a separate line item in the state budget. SCMEP generates revenue through the delivery of valued products and services to the manufacturers of South Carolina and through strategic programs.