Orange County offering PPE for small businesses

Orange County is doing its part to help small businesses by providing those that qualify with personal protective equipment such as face masks and hand sanitizer.

On Monday, May 11, county officials began distributing one million masks and 200,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to small businesses with 40 employees or fewer as part of the PPE for Small Biz in Orange County Initiative. Businesses receive the PPE at no cost to assist in reopening or sustaining operations.

Kits including face coverings and two-ounce hand sanitizer bottles are being distributed to up to 20,000 small businesses at drive-through pickup sites located throughout the county.

To qualify, the small business must be a for-profit or nonprofit incorporated within the county and must employ between one and 40 people. Priority is given to small businesses that recently reopened or are eligible to open in phase one, as well as to businesses that have been unable to obtain PPE for their employees.

Small-business owners must fill out an online interest form at one of the distribution sites below as soon as possible, as the form will be inaccessible once supplies run out. For businesses in District 1, the distribution site is Orange Technical College's Westside Campus, 955 E. Story Road #3733, Winter Garden.

Business owners should then save or print confirmation information and bring it to the designated pickup location. A valid driver’s license or ID is also required to pick up a PPE kit.

Distribution takes place by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, May 15, or until supplies run out. For more information, click here.