(INDIANAPOLIS) – Governor Eric Holcomb Wednesday announced new resources to make personal protective equipment (PPE) more accessible to businesses, nonprofits, and schools across the state, supporting efforts to get Indiana Back on Track while ensuring the health and safety of Hoosiers.
“As Indiana continues to move forward, it’s important to remain diligent in health and safety practices like mask-wearing and sanitizing for the benefit of all Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “These initiatives are another step forward in our efforts to remove barriers to critical supplies, and we’re excited to be supporting Indiana businesses in the process as they work to bolster response and recovery across the state and around the world.”
Facemasks, hand sanitizer headed to Indiana schools
The state is coordinating with Indiana schools and Hoosier businesses to provide critical PPE supplies for K-12 educators and students, making available 3 million reusable facemasks for students to use during the school year. Participating public, public charter and private schools across the state will receive a no-cost PPE bundle that includes reusable antibacterial cloth face masks for students (numbers based on enrollment); 500 standard size disposable face masks; 100 two- or four-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer and 10 one-gallon jugs of hand sanitizer.
The bundles, which are being planned, packaged, and shipped in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and Indianapolis-based Langham Logistics, will leverage disposable face masks and hand sanitizer being made and sourced by Indiana companies. Supplies will be shipped beginning next week and will be sent in order of schools’ 2020-2021 start dates, helping to ensure Indiana schools have the resources needed to return to the classroom if and when they plan to do so.
Schools and school districts are encouraged to contact IDOE Chief Academic Officer Robin LeClaire at rleclaire@doe.in.gov with questions.
PPE Directory enables direct purchases from Indiana companies
The Indiana PPE Directory launched today, replacing the Indiana Small Business PPE Marketplace and providing a long-term solution to ensure reliable and credible access to PPE, particularly for small businesses and nonprofits.
The Indiana PPE Directory, which is available online at backontrack.in.gov, features a listing of Hoosier companies that manufacture and/or distribute PPE items, such as face masks, face shields, gloves, eye protection, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant. From the directory, users may view each company’s available products and place orders for PPE directly with each provider. Shipping is free for orders placed by Indiana businesses and nonprofits.
Currently, the directory features an initial listing of 12 Indiana companies – After Action Medical & Dental (Marion County), Catalyst PDG (Marion County), Fatheadz (Marion County), Fleece Performance Engineering (Hendricks County), Fusek’s True Value (Marion County), Harris & Ford (Marion County), Hotel Tango (Marion County), Kem Krest (Elkhart County), Mursix Corporation (Delaware County), Royer Corporation (Jefferson County), Sugar Creek Bottling Company (Marion County) and Worldcell Extrusions (Elkhart County) – and additional providers are under review.
All companies featured in the directory have been vetted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and must meet the following requirements:
- Must be headquartered or incorporated in Indiana,
- Must be able to fulfill and ship orders within two business days of receipt,
- Offer free shipping to Indiana businesses and nonprofits,
- Have the ability to offer expedited shipping for a cost,
- Must be able to process online orders and credit card payments, and
- Must prioritize orders placed through the directory.
Hoosier businesses interested in being featured on the Indiana PPE Directory that meet the eligibility requirements should contact PPEDirectory@iedc.in.gov.
PPE Marketplace wraps up, fulfills 30,000+ orders for Hoosier businesses & nonprofits
Since first launching on May 6, the Indiana Small Business PPE Marketplace has fulfilled 30,854 orders in just two months, shipping bundles of hand sanitizer, face masks, and face shields at no cost to Hoosier small businesses and nonprofits in more than 600 cities and towns statewide.
The Indiana Small Business Marketplace will conclude today after two months as efforts shift to the new Indiana PPE Directory. Small businesses and nonprofits in need of PPE supplies are encouraged to use the new directory to order items directly from Indiana providers.
