For Immediate Release: Friday, April 17, 2020
ROCKVILLE, Md., April 16, 2020— Today the Montgomery County Council introduced two separate supplemental appropriations totaling $350,000 to purchase or manufacture personal protective equipment and face coverings.
The first supplemental appropriation is for $100,000 to support the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s (MCEDC) creation of the new Local Production Fund, which will provide small and medium-sized manufacturers/producers with the working capital grants necessary to make and provide COVID-related items. The Local Production Fund will build the capacity of small and medium sized manufacturers/producers who can address our community’s supply shortages, immediately, while simultaneously positioning these businesses for recovery and growth post-pandemic. The appropriation will be matched with $100,000 from MCEDC's budget.
The second supplemental appropriation is for $250,00, which was modified at introduction from an original amount of $500,000, to purchase face coverings and other PPE. This special appropriation is needed so that the County government can purchase and distribute washable, reusable face coverings and potentially other PPE to the general public, and to supplement the County’s ongoing efforts to provide PPE to nonprofit service providers (including MCPS meal providers and families), medically vulnerable residents and those in senior living or nursing facilities, child care providers, residents in affordable housing communities, senior residents, and transit riders.
The full Council sponsored both of these special appropriations that were initiated by Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Gabe Albornoz. The Council is tentatively scheduled to receive public testimony on the special appropriations on April 21 at 1:30 p.m.
The Council staff report for Supplemental appropriation to the County Government’s FY20 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation Non-Departmental Account, Support for COVID-19 Response – Manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment $100,000 can be viewed here.
The Council staff report for Special Appropriation to the Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Purchase of Face Coverings and other Personal Protective Equipment, $250,000 can be viewed here.
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