REDI Cincinnati, Urban League Partner with JobsOhio to Distribute PPE Toolkits to Regional Small Businesses
Cincinnati, Ohio – Today in Cincinnati, the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio partnered with REDI Cincinnati to distribute PPE Safety Toolkits, donated by JobsOhio, to assist small businesses throughout the region. These PPE Safety Toolkits will provide small businesses in Southwest Ohio PPE resources to stay protected and operate within the State’s safety guidelines during the phased reopening of Ohio.
“Small and medium-sized businesses make up the backbone of Ohio’s economy and with grit and determination, they and their employees have persevered through unprecedented economic and health challenges during this pandemic. 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,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “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.”
This partnership between JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati, and the Urban League will provide donations of 2,100 PPE kits in Southwest Ohio. Each toolkit includes 100 three-ply masks, 10 KN-95 masks, and a 24 oz bottle of hand sanitizer.
“It’s crucial that all businesses in Southwest Ohio are equipped to handle the challenges presented by COVID-19,” said Kimm Lauterbach, REDI Cincinnati president, and CEO. “Small businesses will thrive and demonstrate their resilience within the region, thanks to initiatives like this. The Urban League serves as the perfect partner to reach out on behalf of JobsOhio and assist small businesses in their efforts to create a safe environment for their employees to return to work.”
In collaboration with JobsOhio Network Partners, JobsOhio is distributing 15,000 Safety Toolkits (1.65 million masks and 15,000 units of hand sanitizer) across the state throughout this week. Each Toolkit, valued at $100 dollars, provides PPE that at times has been in short supply for small businesses during the pandemic.
“The survival of small minority businesses is essential to the economic health of Ohio and our nation,” said Eddie Koen, president, and CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. “We are thrilled to partner with REDI Cincinnati to distribute this much-needed PPE equipment to our vast network of Black businesses and MWBEs in Southwest Ohio. These efforts not only serve as a compliment to the vital work we are doing in our Small Business Development Center—they also work in tandem with our Mask What Matters Campaign, which has currently distributed over 25,000 masks and other PPE items to individuals.”
Since March 15, JobsOhio and its regional and State of Ohio partners have committed to finding new ways to assist businesses during the pandemic. JobsOhio has committed up to $350 million to fund 10 new economic development programs in the past four months. JobsOhio established programs to assist with low-interest loans, job retention, and innovation for small businesses statewide.
In addition to donating Safety Toolkits for small businesses, JobsOhio and its partners have overseen liquor buyback/ liquor rebate programs and provided more than 3,100 cases of hand sanitizer (1+ million ounces) to local bars and restaurants. For additional information, visit “Ohio Safe. Ohio Working.”
About the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Our mission is to transform generations by promoting personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency. Our vision is to have vibrant communities with thriving individuals, families, and businesses. The Urban League combines two divisions: Greater Cincinnati Urban League and the Miami Valley Urban League. Together, we serve 12 counties from Northern Kentucky to Dayton, Ohio. Visit our website at www.ulgso.org and follow us on Facebook.com/urbanleaguecincinnati; Instagram.com/ ulgso; Twitter @ULGSO
Economic development is about creating a place where companies can thrive and individuals can enjoy a higher standard of living. JobsOhio plays a leading role in economic development and serves as a catalyst to accelerate growth by investing in communities, helping Ohio’s businesses expand, and attracting new companies to the state – all contributing to job creation, greater payrolls, and more investment.
The Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati is the first point-of-contact for companies locating or growing in the 16-county region at the heart of southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana. REDI Cincinnati is supported by top business leaders and community partners and staffed by a team of economic development experts who are uniting the Cincinnati region to compete globally. The future is bright, and we’re building it, right now.