MARYLAND COMMERCE AWARDS ADDITIONAL $1.6 MILLION IN GRANTS TO MARYLAND COMPANIES PRODUCING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

25 Maryland companies receive grants to make face shields, gowns and other PPE

BALTIMORE, MD (June 9, 2020) – Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland has awarded an additional $1.6 million in a second round of grants to 25 Maryland companies for pivoting to or expanding production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Through the Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce, companies are receiving grants of up to $100,000 to manufacture critically needed items, including face shields, gowns, and N95 mask parts. The first round of grants, awarded in May, went to 20 Maryland companies and also totaled $1.6 million.

“We are proud to provide support to the dozens of Maryland companies that stepped up during this global pandemic to produce the most critically-needed equipment,” said Governor Hogan. “Our top priority is to protect our essential and front line workers, and having a steady and reliable supply of items that are still in high demand will ensure we can continue to keep them safe.”

The $5 million program was created in response to a growing demand for items to protect health care and front line workers, including face shields, surgical masks, gowns and gloves, as well as items for hospitals, like thermometers, respirators, and ventilators. The program received more than 200 applications.

“There was an overwhelming response to this program and each and every company that applied for this grant saw a need and wanted to contribute in any way they could,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “We are pleased that this program not only helped to support the production of much needed PPE, but also provided companies with funding to keep their employees working during this challenging time.”

“Working with the Maryland Department of Commerce and receiving the grant helped us increase production of critically needed PPE, specifically gowns and face shields,” said Chris McCormick, founding partner of Hatch Exhibits. “With their help, we have been able to secure more materials and production equipment to help meet the desperate need for PPE. We are so thankful to be keeping our employees at work and to be providing help during this crisis.”

“We were alarmed with the shortage of domestic manufacturers for critical PPEs such as face masks. In response to the current pandemic, we have been offering a wide range of mask testing services,” said Dr. Mina Izadjoo, president and chief science officer of Integrated Pharma Services. “This funding will bring us one step closer to self-sufficiency in making masks and better positions the country, particularly Maryland, in the fight against this pandemic.”

The following Maryland companies are receiving grant funding:

Grant Recipient	County	Typical Production	COVDI-19 Production
Awards Plus	Prince George’s	Award products and promotional gifts	Face shields
Chesapeake Custom Embroidery	St Mary’s	Embroidery	Face masks
Coherent Technical Services	St Mary’s	Technical solutions and services	Face shields
CoverLoft	Anne Arundel	Custom marine canvas manufacturing	Face masks and face shields
DifferentRegard	Baltimore City	Apparel manufacturing	Face masks and gowns
East Coast Dyes	Baltimore	Sports equipment manufacturing	Face shields
Eclipse Group	Anne Arundel	Federal contractor specializing in subsea services	Face masks
EventEq	Howard	Event production company	Face shields
Hatch Exhibits	Howard	Custom trade show booths, displays, and exhibits	Gowns and face shields
Integrated Pharma Services	Frederick	Biosciences	Surgical masks
Homestyle Workroom	Harford	Seamstress	Face masks
Island Yacht Canvas & Cushions	Queen Anne’s	Fabrication of canvas products for boating and beach communities.	Face masks
Integral Components	Carroll	Cable assembly manufacturing	Face shields
Love Couture Bridal	Montgomery	Bridal boutique	Face masks
Maryland Canvas	Somerset	Canvas and upholstery product manufacturing	Face masks
Maryland Thermoform	Baltimore City	Plastic packaging and products	Face shields and aerosol intubation boxes
Patriot Technologies	Frederick	Hardware and software solutions	Face shields
Platform Aerospace	St Mary’s	Prototyping and aircraft modification	Components for face shields and N95 masks
Price’s Yacht Canvas	Talbot	Canvas manufacturing	Face shields
Revolution Events	Baltimore City	Event item and signage production	Face Shields, PPE Plastic dividers, Hooded plastic gown ponchos, gowns and scrubs
SewLabs	Baltimore City	Textile manufacturing	Face mask covers for N95 masks
Sparta Luxe	Baltimore	Sports apparel	Face masks and gowns
Spilled Paint Design	Harford	Design/sewing	Face masks
SSI Custom Plastics	St. Mary’s	Plastic thermoforming	Face shields
STX, LLC	Baltimore City	Sports equipment	Face masks

For additional business resources available during the COVID-19 outbreak, please visit businessexpress.maryland.gov/coronavirus. For health resources, including case counts and clinician guidance, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov.