May 4, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Bateman, President
Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County
Cell Phone: 217-369-1509
3D Printing Entrepreneurs, Businesses, Non-Profits Produce 450 Reusable Face Shields for MCEMA
Decatur, Illinois – Local 3D printing entrepreneurs, businesses and non-profits collaborated to produce 450 reusable face shields in response to the COVID-19 pandemic PPE shortage. Richland Community College, the Boys & Girls Club, and local community residents activated their 3D printers to print visors, while sharing information about materials and the process. With guidance from local health organization professionals, the 3D printed visors were attached to shields cut by Bendsen Signs & Graphics, with final assembly by MRI.
450 face shields were delivered to the Macon County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) on Monday, May 04, 2020. The Macon County EMA will distribute the masks to organizations in need of the PPE.
The project was organized by Jesse Blunt, owner of Tried & True Tattoo, and the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County, and funded by the Macon County Emergency Response Grant from The Community Foundation of Macon County.
“This is a prime example of what the power of collaboration and community spirit can produce,” said Nicole Bateman, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County. “We’ve combined our resources in the 3D printing, health care, non-profit, education, and small business sectors to answer a critical need in Macon County. This effort is inspiring, and it brings awareness to the talent that exists in our community.”
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Project Involvement:
3D Printer Operators: Jesse Blunt, Scott Davidson, Preston Hein, Shelly Long, Eric Marsh, Chris Monroe, Doug Rohman, Jason Schimansky
Businesses Involved:
BLDD Architects: Sam Johnson, Kayla Peck
Bendsen Signs & Graphics: Tim Lillpop
Boys & Girls Club: Isaac Zuniga, Shamika Bond
The Community Foundation of Macon County: Natalie Beck
Decatur Memorial Hospital: Sharon Norris
Economic Development Corporation of Decatur-Macon County: Nicole Bateman
HSHS St. Mary’s: Libby Weber
MRI: Amy Bliefnick, Jacob Roddis, Tuesday Bilbrey, Rachel Moran
Richland Community College: John Oliver
About the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County
The Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County is a nonprofit public-private partnership responsible for non-retail business attraction, expansion and retention efforts in Decatur & Macon County. Composed of a combination of leading private sector employers, labor, educational institutions and a variety of governmental bodies, the EDC is uniquely positioned to address the needs of Macon County’s existing business and employer base along with prospective businesses looking to locate in and around the Decatur, Illinois area. The EDC works with local, state and federal partners to provide economic, technical and training assistance to businesses in the Macon County area.
Additional Media Coverage:
Herald & Review