Alabama can play a role as PPE production shifts from overseas locations

As the coronavirus crisis emerged in early March, Governor Kay Ivey established a task force she called the Business and Manufacturing Alliance – BAMA, for short – to work with existing companies in Alabama to produce personal protective equipment.

Working alongside other task forces set up by the governor, BAMA has engaged with scores of companies to achieve its mission during this emergency. This work has also led to a new strategic goal of locating a permanent domestic PPE pipeline right here in Alabama.

A prominent example is Cullman-based HomTex Inc., which began producing cotton face masks after orders for its traditional bed linens declined. HomTex turned out more than 1 million masks in short order.

With support from the Alabama Department of Commerce and others, HomTex now plans to invest $5 million to become a full-time domestic supplier of medical-grade surgical masks for health care workers.

As BAMA’s chairman, I have spoken with many companies across Alabama like HomTex that are suddenly reimagining their businesses. We’re encouraging them to consider a permanent move into protective gear and medical supplies as production moves from overseas locations.

Ultimately, our goal is to position Alabama as a U.S. hub for the production of PPE as this becomes recognized as a critical need and a national security priority. This is one way Alabama can once again make an important contribution to our country.

AlabamaWorks! Releases Business Survey to Identify COVID-19 Impact

MONTGOMERY, Ala – AlabamaWorks is pleased to announce a new tool for all businesses, large and small, related to the COVID-19 impact and future focus of workforce in the state. The Alabama COVID-19 Workforce Response Survey is designed to help the state fully understand the impact of this pandemic on the state’s workforce as well as provide a clear path forward for businesses, industry and state government.

“I am grateful to the Alabama Workforce Council for developing and deploying this much needed and user-friendly survey,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “As we work together to combat COVID-19’s impact, this tool will allow us to identify the needs of business and industry, resources that can help them and how we can best support Alabama’s businesses owners and hardworking Alabamians and their families.”

“While these are challenging times, we fully understand that now, more than ever, business and industry leaders must continue to work together with Governor Ivey’s administration and various state agencies to move us all forward together,” noted Alabama Workforce Council Chairman Tim McCartney. “Rest assured there is an unwavering commitment to do everything we can to minimize the negative impact COVID-19 has on our businesses, our economy, the state and all of its citizens. Using the results from this survey, I know we can all make a difference in combating the challenges from this pandemic facing so many throughout Alabama.”

Responses to the survey will be accepted through Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00pm. All businesses are highly encouraged to participate as the responses will help to protect Alabama’s workforce, manage the impact of COVID-19 and guide allocation of various resources.

Additionally, another tool was released earlier this week for hard-working Alabamians from Governor Ivey’s office to help connect people to resources and resources to people. ALtogetherAlabama.org is a one-stop shop for all Alabamians meant to connect businesses, nonprofits, and people that need help with the available resources during this time