Hogan distributes grants to companies producing personal protective equipment

By Emily Gutierrez
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that more than $1.6 million in grants have been given to 20 Maryland companies that are now producing personal protective equipment (PPE) in response to COVID-19 relief efforts.

Companies from eight different counties have repurposed their production procedures to make PPE, including face and surgical masks, face shields, protective gowns, ventilators and respirators, head coverings, N-95 masks, visors, and battery backs for ventilators or respirators.

Each company can receive grants of up to $100,000 to be used towards manufacturing all PPE, Hogan said. The grants are from the Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund, which is administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce.

“Ramping up our supply of PPE is a critical building block in our state’s recovery plan, and we are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to secure these resources for our front-line workers,” Hogan said, in a news release. “I want to thank and commend the local businesses who have shifted their operations and increased production to help us save lives and flatten the curve.”

There are nine companies from Baltimore County included in this grant. Fashions Unlimited is producing surgical masks and protective gowns. Awesome Ninja Labs, K&W Finishing, Manta BioFuels, and Nations Photo Lab are producing face shields. DiPole Materials, Harbor Designs, and Key Technologies are producing equipment for ventilators and respirators. Potomac Photonics is producing PPE visors.

There are three companies based in Carroll County included in this grant. LAI International is producing face shields, Strouse is producing N-95 masks, and CoastTec is producing battery packs for ventilators.

There are three companies in Howard County included in this grant. Together, CR Daniels and Fabrication Events are producing face masks, protective gowns, and head coverings. X-Laser is producing face shields.

The remaining five companies are the only ones in their county receiving this grant. DVF Corporation in Washington County and NRL & Associates in Queen Anne’s County are producing equipment for respirators and ventilators. Hardwire LLC from Worcester County, Marty’s Bag Works in Anne Arundel County, and Rankin Upholstery from Montgomery County are producing face shields, masks, and protective gowns.

Company responses were positive. Fabrication Events in Howard County explained how officials became involved in the pandemic relief efforts.

“Using our relationships with our suppliers, Fabrication Events has created face cover options to help protect people as they venture out of their homes,” a statement from the company website said. “The idea first came after an employee’s spouse, who is working as a nurse at a drive-through testing site, recognized the need for more protective gear. These covers can be worn over a mask or on their own. They are water resistant, washable, and breathable.”