Although business has come to a temporary halt for some industries, others are experiencing a spike in activity due to COVID-19.
Below we look at examples of local businesses whose ordinary services are being called upon with new demand during these unordinary circumstances:
1. First Response Custom Sewing:
Frederick-based First Response Custom Sewing has provided critical products to emergency service personnel for over a decade. With the arrival of COVID-19, the company has been working in overdrive. The company’s custom sewing services allow the critical ability to produce masks for both businesses & individuals, and has enabled them to donate many more to the University of Maryland Hospital where the owner’s daughter works as a nurse. In addition to mask production, the local company is hard at work supplying flexible ductwork for a company that produces portable hospitals, and stretchers & supply bags for health personnel to use during the pandemic.
2. TOMI Environmental Solutions
TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. is a global bacteria decontamination and infectious disease control company — with U.S. Headquarters in Frederick. The company provides environmental solutions for indoor surface decontamination through the manufacturing, sales and licensing of its SteraMist brand products.
Directly helping to fight the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak, the company’s technology is being deployed around the world to reduce viral duplication in the air and on surfaces.
3. Commercial Lenders:
The CARES Act offered the first substantial wave of federal financial relief to small businesses – with the inclusion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Though passed through Federal legislation, PPP was designed to be administered privately through local SBA-approved lenders. With just days of notice to implement the program, the clock started ticking almost immediately for local lenders scrambling to help their community reach these ‘first-come first-serve’ funds before they were exhausted. Here, just three of our local lenders reflect on the whirlwind experience:
Woodsboro Bank
“My Woodsboro Bank colleagues moved Heaven and Earth to help as many local businesses as we could obtain their Paycheck Protection Program loans. My colleagues and I built a framework for processing from scratch in time to accept apps, worked 15+ hour days (some 7 days a week) and came together as we do at Woodsboro. Having reached the tail end of that stream, it feels good to make a difference. We couldn't help every business in the county, but over 200 local businesses were able to receive approval and preserve 2500+ jobs. Those numbers are small in the grand scheme of things, but meaningful to my colleagues and I as a reminder we do care about our clients and community. – Chris Clemons, Woodsboro Bank
FCB Bank
In just under one month, FCB Bank, a division of ACNB Bank, received and processed a total of 408 loan applications valued at approximately $62,600,000. FCB Bank’s dedicated team recognized the urgency and knew the money provided by the government through the Small Business Administration would run out quickly. The Bank’s staff members jumped right in and encouraged customers to take action immediately to ensure the funding would be available to help meet their financial needs. “As a community bank, we are committed to helping all customers with their financial needs. We were excited to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program and provide critical assistance to our business customers struggling to pay their employees under these extreme circumstances,” said Tom N. Rasmussen, ACNB Bank EVP/Maryland , Market President.
M&T Bank
Although the final numbers aren’t in we helped hundreds of local Frederick companies obtain more than $50 million in funding. We all rolled up our sleeves making our clients our number one priority to process all the applications received. We knew that we had a short window to process the applications and get them through the SBA’s system -- so many of us worked through the night with only a couple hours of sleep before getting back to it the next morning and doing it all over again. As a Relationship Manager, I work so closely with many of our small business owners and I realize how critical is was for them to get the funding they needed to ensure their survival. I am proud to service our local business community. – Michelle Shipley, M&T Bank
4. Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently tapped Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research to scientifically inform decision-makers on potential approval of blood test for the presence of antibodies for the novel coronavirus. Current research is seeking to determine whether antibodies in an individual are associated with protection from future infection for COVID-19. FNL’s HPV Serology Lab is evaluating antibody tests and will provide performance data from the validation study to the FDA. To read the full article, click here.
5. Frederick Health
In addition to responding to the demands of the virus itself, Frederick Health quickly implemented telehealth technology to ensure patients would have access to primary care and specialty providers. By creating access to care through telehealth visits, patients are able to stay connected to their healthcare team while also practicing physical distancing and following stay-at-home guidance. To date, Frederick Health Medical Group has completed over 7,500 telehealth visits, and plans to continue providing this service beyond COVID-19.
For those who are concerned about their health, symptoms, or exposure to COVID-19, Frederick Health launched a a screening tool through their Virtual Visit platform, which is currently available free of charge.