*Image courtesy of Kendra Scott

The Chamber is working with member businesses to do their part to combat COVID-19 by providing or manufacturing large quantities of critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

At the regional level, the Chamber sent a survey to manufacturing companies to identify who can assist in the production of emergency medical supplies. Businesses have shifted manufacturing to increase supplies of hand sanitizer and PPE. In fact, we’ve connected more than 35 companies that can provide PPE to state and local officials and identified more than 100 in the region that might have capability of shifting manufacturing.

The City of Austin and Travis County also have a joint PPE task force that works with companies that can provide supplies to first responders, healthcare workers, and the general public. And, at the state level, this effort is being led by Governor Abbott’s Supply Chain Strike Force. The governor appointed Chamber Executive Committee Member-at-Large Clint Harp, Vice President Transmission Strategic Services, LCRA, to the strike force.

Austin Monthly recently featured local companies that have responded to this need:

• Slow North + Chisos Boots
• GelPro
• Fort Lonesome
• Brittany Allen
• SPIbelt
• Kendra Scott

*Image courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Our regional distilleries also have shifted production to make desperately-needed hand sanitizer:

• A.W. Craft Distillery
• Desert Door Distillery
• Dripping Springs Distilling
• Fifth Generation Inc., the maker of Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• Middleton Brewing
• Milam & Greene Whiskey
• Still Austin Whiskey Co.
• Treaty Oak Distilling

With current CDC guidelines requiring everyone to wear a face covering while outside, please consider how your DIY skills can assist others. Dell Medical School hosts the COVID-19 ATX Exchange where anyone can submit needs or solutions. You can be part of the solution to deliver non-traditional PPE.

If your company can help during this public health emergency, please reach out to Jeremy Martin at jmartin@austinchamber.com, and we will connect you with the appropriate public health officials.