FLT secures FuzeHub grant to expand face mask production

01 Jul '20

2 min read

Pic: FuzeHub

FuzeHub, US-based statewide centre for the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership, has announced it has awarded $15,000 in grant funding to Finger Lakes Textiles (FLT), an inclusive textile and knitting factory and a division of Mozaic, to help it expand and accelerate its manufacturing of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Finger Lakes Textiles quickly pivoted to produce face masks to help keep people safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. It was an inspiring undertaking, and FuzeHub is excited to help them increase production,” FuzeHub executive director, Elena Garuc, said in a press releas.

“Even before this crisis hit New York State, Finger Lakes Textiles had a remarkable story,” Everton Henriques, NY MEP solutions director for FuzeHub, said.

As an inclusive workplace, they provide rewarding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. These jobs foster inclusion and offer a pathway for individuals of all abilities to make a difference in our community something we’ve certainly seen in recent weeks when their workforce stepped up to manufacture face masks.”

The $15,000 FuzeHub grant helped fund the purchase of new equipment that will triple FLT’s weekly production of washable 0.5 micron filter face masks. The five industrial sewing machines that FLT has added to its facility will also help diversify its product mix once the surging demand for face masks begins to subside.

“When we recognised our community’s need for more face masks, we were eager to help. This grant from FuzeHub helped us secure the equipment we needed to significantly ramp up production, and it served as a catalyst for job creation,” Edward Sayles, Mozaic’s director of development, said.

We hope our team’s response to the pandemic will further demonstrate that every person, regardless of any perceived disability, can make an impact and contribute to our community in so many different ways.”

“We are a mission-driven business with a social purpose,” Mozaic CEO Allen Connely, said in the release.

Everything we do at Mozaic, especially our work at Finger Lakes Textiles, drives back to our mission of providing vital services to people with intellectual and development disabilities and their families.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JL)

More Textiles News - United States Of America...