Southfield Business Development & DDA coordinating Oakland County program locally

Southfield Business & Economic Development and the Southfield Downtown Development Authority, in partnership with Oakland County, will distribute 400 free COVID-19 safety tool kits to provide small businesses with essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for reopening. 

The self-contained “Oakland Together” plastic totes have more than $400 worth of supplies, including face masks, no-touch thermometers, gloves and sanitizer that was provided and packaged by Oakland County and funded by businessman Roger Penske.

“The kits serve two purposes,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “We want to give our small businesses essential materials that have been difficult to acquire and are necessary when the OK comes for businesses to reopen safely. At the same time, we want customers to feel confident that our businesses are doing all they can to keep their customers and their employees safe. This is a priority for everyone.”

The kits are designed for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees that operate in Main Street Oakland County communities, other businesses not in a downtown, or faith-based organizations, among others. In addition to the masks and gloves, the kits include sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, floor stickers for interior spacing of customers or employees, posters and ideas for social distancing.

Materials were acquired from Oakland County-based companies when possible, including Detroit Sewn, officials said. The Pontiac-based company, which was making knitwear before the coronavirus pandemic, received a $25,000 grant from the county to manufacture personal protective equipment for health care systems and first responders. The county purchased 150,000 masks from the company.

The County has provided $14 million in grant support for Oakland County small businesses. More than 3,500 small businesses seriously impacted by the coronavirus pandemic will receive grants averaging nearly $4,000 from Oakland County’s small business stabilization fund.

To request a kit, businesses should contact Business & Economic Development Director Rochelle Freeman at (248) 796-4160 or email rfreeman@cityofsouthfield.com or Melissa Schlicker at the Southfield Downtown Development Authority at (248) 796-5196 or email mschlicker@cityofsouthfield.com.

Kits will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis as supplies last. Distribution will begin on Thursday, June 4 and will be prioritized by business sector and need, beginning with restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment venues followed by professional services, insurance agents and realtors. Businesses will need to verify credentials to receive kit.  Businesses can also request kits directly through Oakland County at the following link: http://forms.oakgov.com/151. Faith-based organizations can also request kits directly from the County at this link: https://forms.oakgov.com/152.

For more information, call the Southfield Business Department at (248) 796-4160, the Southfield Downtown Development Authority at (248) 796-5196 or visit www.cityofsouthfield.com or www.southfielddda.com.