Polaris MEP received a “shout-out” from Rhode Island’s Governor Gina Raimondo during her daily COVID-19 briefing.

“The most encouraging thing for me throughout this crisis has just been the way people pull together. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t do something extraordinarily generous or kind or proactive to help us out as we deal with the crisis …

“You may recall that about a week ago we were quite concerned about where we were with our gowns … Right now, all over the country, one piece that is in great demand and short supply are gowns.

“Enter Charlie and Owen Merrow. Charlie and Owen Merrow are heroes in my mind.”

Governor Raimondo noted that the Merrows own a sewing manufacturing company in Fall River, Mass., and live in Rhode Island. She said the state was introduced to Merrow Manufacturing by Polaris MEP. Over the weekend, Charlie Merrow “showed up with more than 3,000 gowns made right across the line in Fall River” to RI’s specifications.

Mary Johnson of the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network reports the Polaris MEP connections go deeper, as Merrow is using fabric produced by Kenyon Industries (aka Brookwood Companies) in Richmond, RI.

Governor Raimondo: “We are literally scouring the earth for PPE, but we’re also looking right here in our own backyard … Thank you Charlie and Owen for stepping up when we needed you most.”