Oakland County Executive David Coulter gives an update on COVID-19 cases and response, March 21, 2020 at the L. Brooks Patterson Building Conference Center in Waterford. (Photo: Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)
Re-opening a business amid the COVID crisis takes more than just opening the doors and flicking on lights.
Especially for small businesses, it's a turning point loaded with questions. Now, Oakland County has answers, all packed in a plastic tote, saying in effect: "Here is what you need -- free."
The county calls them COVID-19 safety tool kits, and they contain face masks, no-touch thermometers, gloves and containers of sanitizer. They're the essential items for reopening a small shop, giving employees as well as customers a sense of confidence that they will have a safe experience, Oakland County Executive David Coulter said.
The county has 10,000 of the kits to give away, each labeled "Oakland Together" because Coulter says the county's economy can fully rebound if everyone cooperates. The totes will be available at 50 locations around Oakland County for distribution by downtown development authorities, city managers, economic development officials and chambers of commerce.
"The kits serve two purposes," Coulter said. "We want to give our small businesses essential materials that have been difficult to acquire and are necessary when the OK comes for businesses to reopen safely. At the same time, we want customers to feel confident that our businesses are doing all they can to keep their customers and their employees safe."
"This is a priority for everyone," he said.
The kits are designed for small businesses with 50 employees and similar-sized faith-based organizations, among others, according to a county news release. The kits include disinfectant wipes, floor stickers for interior spacing of customers or employees, and posters to remind people about the need for social distancing, the release said.
Many of the contents came from Oakland County-based manufacturers, the release said, including Detroit Sewn in Pontiac. The company had been making knitwear before the COVID-19 pandemic, then received a $25,000 county grant to make personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders. For the tool kits, Oakland County bought 150,000 masks from Detroit Sewn.
More: Michigan small, mid-size businesses to start receiving assistance money soon
More: Judge tells Oakland County sheriff to provide masks to jail inmates, may order releases
Each kit has an estimated value of more than $400. They were assembled and stored in a Bloomfield Township warehouse provided by Roger Penske, founder of Penske Corp., which owns and operates auto and truck dealerships and leasing sites nationwide — and the same Roger Penske who bought the Indianapolis Speedway last fall, and who just postponed the Indianapolis 500 car race from Memorial Day to Aug. 23.
The small-business start-up kits will be distributed first to restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment venues. Next, they will become available for salons, barbershops and massage therapy sites. After that, small retailers will qualify; and finally, small businesses providing professional services, such as law firms, insurance offices and and real-estate agencies.
Small businesses wanting a tool kit can request one at www.oakgov.com.
Contact: blaitner@freepress.com
Read or Share this story: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2020/05/27/small-businesses-oakland-county-covid-19-safety-tool-kit/5268085002/
0 Komentar