Lucas: ‘As we begin to reopen our community, we must implement sustainable strategies that keep our workforce healthy and support our local businesses—the creation of KCPPE.com will help accomplish both’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas today announced – in partnership with the City of Kansas City and Made in KC – a new online resource for Kansas City businesses to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their employees while providing direct support to local businesses. Many local businesses have shifted their operations to create PPE amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and this website will help connect Kansas City businesses and individuals in need of PPE with local makers of reusable face masks, hand sanitizer and other protective equipment.

“Throughout this public health crisis, our local businesses have remained agile, serving our community in new and creative ways,” said Mayor Lucas. “I’m tremendously proud of the way our local business community has stepped up during this crisis—many halting or adding to their normal operations to make PPE and sanitary items for our frontline workers, our homeless population, and our community at large. As we begin to reopen our community, we must implement sustainable strategies that keep our workforce healthy and support our local businesses. The creation of KCPPE.com will help accomplish both. I encourage all employers looking to purchase PPE for their workforce to shop local.”

“This is why Kansas City is such a great place for entrepreneurs and startups,” said Assistant City Manager Rick Usher. “We work together, work quickly, and solve problems. The City’s #ShopLocalKC initiative is one way we connect makers with buyers in the KCMO marketplace.”

“Made in KC was happy to jump to fill this need,” said Made in KC Co-Founder Tyler Enders. “Working with 250 artists and makers at any given time, we've been so proud to see how many Kansas Citians have found ways to help fight this pandemic – many by sewing face masks. As we look to recover and rebuild, it's so important to consider the impact of our dollars. Kansas City is lucky to have so many creative small business owners and I have no doubt we'll be able to fill the PPE needs of our business community.”

Kansas City businesses or individuals looking to purchase locally-made PPE can find more information here. Local PPE suppliers can request to be added to the website here.

Earlier this week, Mayor Lucas announced details of Kansas City’s data-driven approach to re-opening. This includes:

• Requiring all public-facing businesses to provide masks for their employees;
• Allowing businesses to refuse entry to any customers who do not wear protective face masks or coverings;
• Recommending that all Kansas Citians wear protective face masks or coverings when going out in public.

More information on Kansas City’s data-driven re-opening approach can be found here.

Kansas Citians interested in signing up for text updates from the City of Kansas City regarding COVID-19 should text COVIDKC to 888-777. For more information, visit the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/coronavirus or kcmo.gov/coronavirus. You may also call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services hotline at 877-435-8411 for questions regarding COVID-19 in Missouri.

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