3 Local Companies Receive State Grants To Produce PPE
A $10 million program funded with CARES Act money is meant to ensure Hawaii has a local supply of protective gear.
The state has awarded three companies over $1 million combined to manufacture equipment to protect people from the virus that causes COVID-19.
Kamanu Composites received $500,000 to make face shields. Lanikai Brewing Company received $236,797 to make hand sanitizer. Min Plastics & Supply received $500,000 to make face shields.
The state’s PPE Supply Chain program is administered by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
The awards are part of a program that uses $10 million in federal CARES Act funds approved for the program by the Legislature. Awards can range between $10,000 to $500,000, with larger awards possible if determined necessary by HTDC. To qualify, the participant must be producing or plan to produce protective supplies or cleaning supplies commonly procured by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.
“We’re trying to keep people safe and accelerate the economic recovery. If we can start producing our own supplies to meet the local demand, the jobs stay in Hawai‘i and the money circulates in the local economy,” Mike McCartney, the DBEDT director said in a statement.
