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Indiana Shutting Down PPE Marketplace, Replacing It With Directory For Businesses

Lauren Chapman
/
IPB News

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is shutting down its PPE marketplace for small businesses and replacing it with a directory to connect Hoosiers with Indiana companies that sell the safety gear.

IEDC Chief of Staff Luke Bosso said the marketplace fulfilled more than 30,000 orders for personal protective equipment, at no cost, since its May launch.

“The PPE directory will provide a long-term, reliable and credible solution for businesses and nonprofits looking to procure PPE,” Bosso said.

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The directory has 12 companies which make and distribute face masks, face shields, gloves, eye protection, hand sanitizer and disinfectant.

Bosso said the state will add more companies – but they must meet certain requirements. That includes being able to fulfill and ship orders within two days, offer free shipping, process online orders and credit card payments and prioritize orders through the directory.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.