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Sweet Shop USA Stepping Up to the Cause with WAYMAKER Facial Shields
Our local chocolate factory is not only making chocolates but also turning its plastic box coverings into face shields.
This is an example of the extraordinary measures being taken by ordinary Texans and business owners to get personal protective equipment, known as PPE, into the hands of those who need it before supplies run out for those on the front lines of the outbreak.
Sweet Shop is answering the national call of duty & our community couldn’t be prouder. Sweet Shop is the largest handmade chocolate factory in the USA & converted the plastics typically seen over specialty cardboard boxes (think “truffles & chocolates see-though covers”) & pivoted into PPE, creating 50 new jobs in the past few weeks. By Monday, they will have shipped 250,000 faceshields as far as New York & as close as our own Titus Regional Medical Center. Sweet Shop has orders for 500,000 more shields & expects an additional order of 1 million, potentially creating 100 new jobs in a matter of months.
A special thank you to an unnamed company with whom we are working & Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development & Adriana Cruz & her team for working with MPEDC & Sweet Shop to quickly (1 day!!!) source multiple Texas-based plastics suppliers once traditional sources dried up. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Existing industry know MP has a very strong expansion program. In March 2020, MPEDC granted $50,000 to Sweet Shop for creating new jobs w/ a fudge company M&A whose operations were transferred to MP.
#I30 #NewMarketTaxCredit #OZ #BizParks #econdev #Texas #micropolitan
#thewaymaker #contributing #mountpleasant #staypositive
Click below to read more about how this idea got started:
Thank you Sweet Shop USA for stepping up to contribute to this cause!
Applying for Paycheck Protection Program Starts Today
Loan Information
Starting today, as part of the CARES Act, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program. This loan is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll and cover other critical expenses.
The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs (at least 75%), interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Loans are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2020.
Who can Apply
This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19.
Businesses in certain industries may have more than 500 employees if they meet the SBA’s size standards for those industries.
Small businesses in the hospitality and food industry with more than one location could also be eligible if their individual locations employ less than 500 workers.
Click below for eligibility requirements and details about the program.
COVID-19 Update for Titus County with Titus County Judge Brian Lee and Titus Regional CEO Terry Scoggin
Titus County Update with Judge Brian Lee and Titus Regional CEO Terry ScogginCOVID-19 Update for Titus County with Titus County Judge Brian Lee and Titus Regional CEO Terry Scoggin
Posted by Titus Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Titus County Judge Brian Lee Has Amended the Declaration of Local State of Disaster
Here is what it means to YOU:
Travel – all travel in Titus County is prohibited except for:
- To and from work
- Work-related
- Health and Safety related for self, or other family member
- For essential services
Social Distancing
- No gatherings of more than 10 people
- Maintain 6 feet of distance at all times
- Wash hands for 20 seconds frequently
- Cover coughs and/or sneezes in sleeve, elbow or disposable tissue
- Regular cleaning/sanitizing of high-touch surfaces
- Refrain from shaking hands
Business Open to the Public Must Immediately Develop a Written Plan
- Maintain 6 feet distance between customers, employees – inside and outside
- Have procedures for regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces
- Show how they will enforce the plan
- Have a copy of the plan, one page, posted on front door or window
- If no physical location, copy of plan must be given to all employees
- Available for immediate inspection by authorities
Grocery Stores, Warehouse, Big-Box, Convenience Stores
- Must include in plan how they will limit the number of customers, so as to meet distancing requirements
Religious Services
- Allowed and encouraged
- Must meet social distancing requirements
- Does not prohibit “drive-in” service; church lot, everyone in the car
- Must also develop a written plan just like a business
Employers shall only allow employees with no symptoms to work (dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, etc). If symptoms are present the employee must stay home until symptom free
Order & Penalties
- Anyone who knowingly violates is subject to $1,000 or up to 180 day jail
- Authorizes use of all lawfully available enforcement tools
Takes Effect at 12:01 A.M. Thursday morning April 2, 2020
Source: City of Mount Pleasant- http://mpcity.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=104
Social Distancing Saves Lifes
As members of the City/County Emergency Response Team, which includes doctors & the CEO of TRMC, MPEDC is echoing the City’s strongly-worded reminder to stay home.
What does staying at home look like? Send one person (not multiple, especially not children if possible) to Walmart. Order groceries online from Brookshires and ALDI. Order takeout at your own risk but dump the food onto your own plates and throw away bags and containers immediately and wash your hands. Pretend everything coming into your house has glitter on it and the goal is to not have a single speck of glitter in your home or on your body.
