Board member, medical sales professional Cody Gibson identifies source for surgical, N95 masks

Building off of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority’s commitment to supply masks to childcare centers as the economy gradually reopens after the COVID-19 pandemic, board member Cody Gibson has also identified a PPE source for local businesses.

Kentucky’s 10-point plan for guiding businesses as they prepare for gradual reopening includes the universal use of masks for employees working on-site, and SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler said he has received numerous inquiries on where and how those can be purchased. Gibson, a medical sales professional in central and eastern Kentucky, has offered to facilitate the purchase of surgical and N95 masks through his source for any business in Somerset and Pulaski County with a need.

“In an effort to help our hardworking and dedicated business owners and workers, we commend Cody for identifying this source and working to ensure our citizens have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to return to the workplace,” Girdler said. “Somerset and Pulaski County have demonstrated wonderful leadership and collaboration during the COVID-19 issues we face. This is another example of SPEDA making business about people and our fellow colleagues and friends looking out for one another.”

SPEDA continues to seek other sources of PPE in addition to Gibson’s contribution. Last week during a Facebook Live update, Pulaski County Judge-Executive Steve Kelley informed the community PPE is also available for purchase through the county’s Emergency Operations Center.

Businesses interested in purchasing masks can contact Gibson at cody@atlconsulting.us or the EOC at (606) 451-0810. Girdler has encouraged anyone with information about other sources of PPE to contact him at chris@speda.org.