INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Small Business PPE Marketplace has received nearly 20,000 orders for personal protective equipment and fulfilled half the orders of hand sanitizer, face masks and face shields to Hoosier small businesses and nonprofits so far.
The new marketplace, organized by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) and the Indiana Small Business Development Center, is helping companies safely reopen in the coming weeks. PPE order capacity is expected to increase by 20 percent next week, with the marketplace able to fulfill and ship 12,000 orders in partnership with Indianapolis-based Langham Logistics.
Indiana small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 150 employees may place orders for PPE through the marketplace online at backontrack.in.gov/ppemarketplace.htm.
In addition to managing the Marketplace, the IEDC continues working to secure PPE for the state’s hospitals, first responders, long-term care facilities and health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. To date, the state has secured commitments for more than 12.2 million pieces of PPE – up from 6.3 million reported April 24 – with more than 8 million items already delivered to the state health department for distribution.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Indiana is home to approximately 104,335 small businesses that employ fewer than 150 associates. Together, they support 941,578 Hoosiers across the state. To learn more, visit isbdc.org/indianacovid19smallbusiness.
