Lt. Gov. McKee: 500 plastic barriers for RI Small Biz Reopening – apply now

Lt. Governor Dan McKee today announced a donation from Warwick-based Oceanside Graphics which will allow the Lt. Governor’s Office to distribute 500 U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved plastic barriers to Rhode Island small businesses with 50 employees or fewer. 

Barriers will be allocated to help small businesses create a safe environment for employees and customers in accordance with the state’s reopening guidelines. Small business owners can request barriers by filling out a brief application at bit.ly/3cnAHRA. 

“I am grateful to Oceanside Graphics and every other business and individual who stepped up to support our small business community during this pandemic,” said Lt. Governor McKee. “The generosity and camaraderie that we have seen from Rhode Islanders is inspiring and reminds us that we can all play a role in helping our state recover and reopen safely.”

Oceanside Graphics is a small business that offers screen printing, embroidery, sign and banner production and business branding services. The company is owned by Justin Gontarek and Nicholas Rego. During the early days of the pandemic, Oceanside Graphics partnered with the Lt. Governor’s Office to launch Gift it Forward, an effort to encourage Rhode Islanders to support small businesses by purchasing gift cards online. 

“As a small business owner, I am glad that my team could pitch in and do our part to help other small businesses in need,” said Gontarek. “We look forward to getting these barriers out in the community and continuing to collaborate with the Lt. Governor’s Office to support the state’s safe reopening efforts.”