Each kit includes 100 3-ply masks, 10 KN-95 masks and a 24-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer. Kits were mostly given to manufacturers, service businesses and restaurants, according to the DCC.
J.P. Nauseef, president of JobsOhio, met with Jeff Hoagland, DDC president, and Eric Soller, owner of Old Scratch Pizza in downtown Dayton, to drop-off a kit to Old Scratch and briefly discuss the challenges small businesses are facing.
“My message to everybody is if you can go out and support your local restaurants, do so,” Soller said. “There’s a real risk that there might not be a lot of us left at the end of this.”
Old Scratch eliminated 40% of its seating to increase the space for proper social distancing and the restaurant keeps all windows and doors open, Soller said. However, making sure customers feel safe has still been a daily challenge.
“I also think that people should be aware that there has not been a significant amount of evidence of cases of people going out to eat at a restaurant and contracting COVID-19,” Soller said. “There just are not many documented cases of this happening.”
Soller said he is excited to be a part of the PPE distribution program, as having the rights kinds of tools to protect customers and employees is going to be critical while navigating the pandemic.
JobsOhio is working with network partners like the DDC to distribute 15,000 safety tool kits -- 1.65 million masks and 15,000 units of hand sanitizer -- across the state throughout this week, according to the release. Each tool kit, valued at $100, provides PPE that at times has been in short supply for small businesses during the pandemic.
Since March 15, according to the release, JobsOhio has committed “up to” $350 million to fund 10 new economic development programs to to assist with job retention and innovation for small businesses statewide.
“JobsOhio is pleased, along with our network partners, to provide them with PPE toolkits, to aid them in their efforts to get back to work and operate safely.” Nauseef said. “While we don’t know what the future holds, we are optimistic that Ohio businesses will succeed and continue to play an essential role in Ohio’s economic recovery.”
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