Made In Baltimore and Baltimore Development Corporation are honored to be recognized by the Maryland Economic Development Association for our Local PPE Initiative, a project we undertook in 2020 to help local makers scale up production of PPE for our first responders. Through this initiative, we deployed $550,000 in small grants and procurement contracts to Baltimore City manufacturers, to help them pivot to PPE production, and to source needed equipment for city employees.  This work not only helped prevent nearly 60 layoffs as our economy ground to a halt in spring of 2020, but also helped create over 75 temporary jobs, 34 of which have become permanent positions.
While we are honored to accept the recognition for our role in this effort, we want to emphasize the heroism displayed by our members, who kept their doors open, their staff employed, and our first-responders safe.  Watch this video for some of their stories.