Photo: MIB Director Andy Cook speaking alongside Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young while social distancing outside City Hall on Wednesday.
Seven Made In Baltimore members are among the first nine recipients of a grant fund established by the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) to support Baltimore’s small businesses producing equipment needed by health workers and others in response to COVID-19. The funding affirms what we at MIB already know — makers are among the everyday heroes coming together with innovation and hard work to save lives during a time of global crisis.
As the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals became clear, the BDC moved quickly to establish this $50,000 grant fund, which offers applicants up to $7,500 for expenses related to PPE production. The awarded grants will fund a range of necessary medical products, including face masks, face shields and hand sanitizer, as well as gowns and hazmat suits, and a majority of the recipients are women- or minority-owned businesses.
The grant recipients are:
Citywide Youth Development and Different Regard for the production of gowns and hazmat suits.
Custom 3D Stuff, Maryland Thermoform and Will’s Printing Co. for the production of face shields.
Louthan Distilling and Mount Royal Soap Co. for the production of hand sanitizer.
Quality Mask Supply and SewLab USA for the production of face masks.
We want to share our congratulations to the recipients, as well as our thanks to them and everyone now working to meet the demand for PPE. We are so proud to see Baltimore’s small business community rising to meet this moment.
We at Made In Baltimore are focused on responding effectively to the needs of our members. Click here for our guide to resources for local businesses impacted by COVID-19. Please get in touch if you have questions, concerns, or ideas for us — we always want to know how we can best help Baltimore’s makers and business owners. Meanwhile, we sincerely hope you and your loved ones keep safe.