ARC allocates $300,000 for making medical safety gear

28 Apr '20

3 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has allocated $300,000 to the Industrial Commons, in Morganton, North Carolina, for manufacturing medical safety gear to meet demand across the Appalachian Region and the country. The funds are be used to purchase materials and coordinate staff to produce general-use face-masks and medical grade gowns.

The Industrial Commons, and its enterprise the Carolina Textile District, are engaging nearly 600 sewers across 60 textile and furniture companies to cut, sew, and produce thousands of general-use face-masks and medical grade gowns per week.

The equipment will primarily go to hospitals and social services agencies across the region and the country. Orders have already been placed from Bronx, New York, and several locations in North Carolina. Distribution will be coordinated by the Industrial Commons from a previously-underused warehouse at an EJ Victor Furniture factory in Morganton, North Carolina.

“During this crisis, I am pleased ARC is investing to produce protective equipment enabling the health and safety of those in our communities, including medical personnel,” said ARC federal co-chairman Tim Thomas. “I commend the Industrial Commons and the Carolina Textile District for stepping up to take on this challenge.”

"I'm proud to partner with ARC to provide this important investment in North Carolina companies,” said North Carolina governor Roy Cooper. “These funds will help keep North Carolinians working during this crisis and provide personal protective equipment to those on the front lines.”

The Industrial Commons is a non-profit that develops interconnected social enterprises that solve problems for businesses and workers. The Carolina Textile District (CTD) is a network of textile-related companies and manufacturers committed to building a domestic value-chain to bolster the region’s textile industry. CTD hosts workshops and provides contacts and resources that help both new and established companies grow and thrive, and is invested in creating a new and dynamic textile industry that values the worker, the environment, and the community. In 2015, with support from ARC, the Industrial Commons and another founding CTD partner, the Manufacturing Solutions Centre, purchased advanced manufacturing equipment and a state-of-the-art cutter to help the network grow and increase efficiency for its small to mid-sized members.

"We are extremely thankful for ARC's support of this project. They have been a strong partner of ours for many years. This grant will cover critical expenses, like purchasing bulk raw materials and operating the distribution site, that are making it possible to produce these medical supplies through a consortium of manufacturers," said Sara Chester, co-executive director, the Industrial Commons. "We have so many people to thank—our amazing staff, the local doctors who have tested prototypes and given advice, the companies and individuals who have donated materials or funds, North Carolina’s Task Force for Emergency Repurposing of Manufacturing, and—most importantly—the manufacturers who are pulling together and re-tooling to meet this need. During this extremely difficult time for our country, it has been heartening to see so many people and businesses step up to help, both in their own communities and beyond."

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)

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