ORDER YOUR PPE TODAY FOR SAFE RE-ENTRY

This week marks the continuation of more phased openings. In the state of Kentucky, manufacturing, construction, vehicle and vessel dealerships, professional services (at 50% of pre-outbreak capacity), horse racing (without spectators), and pet grooming and boarding are already open. Retail, houses of worship and restaurants (at 33% capacity) will be open by the end of the week. Indiana re-opened many of its businesses at the beginning of the month.

Face Masks & PPE Supplier Directory Available
As employers begin bringing employees back to work, it is now more critical than ever to ensure that businesses and individuals have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure a safe return to work. GLI is working hard to support our business community. If you are in need of PPE for yourself or your returning workforce, visit our Crisis Support Hub to see a directory of suppliers. We have also acquired a small supply of disposable face masks available for purchase in packs of 50 for $55/box (plus sales tax) by placing your order here. Masks will be available during certain office hours ONLY. For more information, please contact Deana Epperly Karem.

GLI Investors Are Innovating During COVID-19
On another note, GLI wanted to recognize some of the important work that all of you are doing to support our community during this unprecedented time. GLI has identified some out-of-the-box initiatives that our investors have implemented to help our community grow stronger. If your company is doing something unusual to better Greater Louisville, please provide that information here. And enjoy learning about some of these great ideas:

• Louisville-based WaterStep is continuing to provide its patented BleachMaker to local organizations to help combat the spread of COVID-19. The BleachMaker was designed by a group of engineers from the University of Louisville, the Louisville Water Company, and General Electric’s FirstBuild Innovation Center who worked with WaterStep to develop the powerful disinfectant tool. It was funded by the Louisville Water Foundation, UPS and GE. In the past weeks, numerous social services agencies and homeless shelters have all been provided with a BleachMaker.
• SOS, a Louisville-based global health organization, has redirected all available medical supplies to local organizations, first responders, and healthcare facilities in the fight against COVID-19. While SOS is mostly known for redistributing surplus medical supplies to medically impoverished communities in the developing world, the organization’s role in protecting lives here in Louisville has never been greater.
• Waffle House has started an Adopt a Meal program in Southern Indiana and at Louisville area restaurants. You can purchase a meal for a nurse/police officer/paramedic for $8 and Waffle House will make sure they get it!
• Trilogy’s nonprofit, Live A Dream, is asking people to send short videos of encouragement to Trilogy’s 10,000+ seniors in isolation. To date, the company has received almost 100 videos. You can learn more or create one here.
• To help nurses and all healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in a unique way that honors social distancing while lifting the spirits of care providers, the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) developed the Apricot Ribbon Campaign. In conjunction with the Apricot Ribbon Campaign, the KNA is developing a comprehensive plan that includes outreach to nurses who are infected with the virus, mental health support, calls to senior nurses, physical safety instruction, and a myriad of free online learning offerings.

With continued vigilance, together we can keep our community safe and healthy as we re-open our economy.

OTHER UPDATES

• The Small Business Administration has released the application form and instructions for businesses to apply for loan forgiveness if they received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
• GLI’s 2020 Legislative Outcomes report details the major wins for businesses from this year’s sessions in Frankfort and Indianapolis and highlights the region’s Most Valuable Policymakers.
• Are you having a bad day? Here are some tips to pick yourself up and gather the strength to carry on.
• Kentucky’s research universities are answering the COVID-19 call now and in the future, leading the way in identifying and treating patients, addressing shortages in testing and protective equipment and conducting research close to home to aggressively attack a global health crisis.
• Old Forester Distilling Co. has launched a new curbside pick up Old Fo To Go featuring curated distillery offerings and classic Old Forester products. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Fund for the Arts Cultural Lou Recovery. Products can be ordered here and are available for pick up Fridays between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

GLI is collecting the questions we’ve been asked about how COVID-19 impacts your business. To see those responses, click here. If you have a question that you would like answered, submit that below.