This week the Wyandot County Office of Economic Development (WCOED) distributed 20 PPE Safety Toolkits, donated by JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP), in an effort to assist small businesses throughout the region. These PPE Safety Toolkits will provide small businesses 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, RGP, and the WCOED provided donations of 20 PPE kits in 
Wyandot County. Each Toolkit included 100 3-ply masks, 10 KN-95 masks and a 24oz bottle of hand sanitizer. Each Toolkit, valued at $100 dollars, provides PPE that at times has been in short supply for small businesses during the pandemic.
The local small businesses who received a toolkit were selected as a result of their voluntary feedback to recent COVID-19 impact assessments, and based on need. They included: A-1 Printing, Baker Financial, Beca House Coffee, Cheers to You, Fairhaven Community, First Citizens National Bank, Health Services of Wyandot County, Kimmel Corporation, Koehler Drug Company, Open Door Resource Center, Schmidt Machine Company, Shotzy’s Bar & Grille, Time Staffing, Uni-Grip, Upper Family Fitness, Verne Hart Insurance, Wyandot Council on Aging, Westbrook Assisted Living & Memory Care, Wood’s Antiques, and Wyandot Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation.
“The Wyandot County Office of Economic Development strives to support all of our existing businesses during this economically stressful time,” explained Greg Moon, WCOED Executive Director. “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and this offering of PPE Toolkits is one small way we can help and to say thank you for your hard work in keeping our community the great place it is. The WCOED is grateful to the RGP and JobsOhio for their ongoing assistance to our local mission.”
In addition to donating Safety Tool Kits for small businesses, JobsOhio and its partners have overseen liquor buyback/ liquor rebate programs and provided more than 3100 cases of hand sanitizer (1 million+ ounces) to local bars and restaurants. For additional information, visit “Ohio Safe. Ohio Working.”.
The Wyandot County Office of Economic Development also maintains a local COVID-19 resources for businesses that can be found on its website www.WCOED.com.