More than ever, as physical distancing requirements make it more difficult to communicate and businesses remain temporarily shuttered, it’s important that Franklin County’s rural towns are unified in their response to the ongoing pandemic.

The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), a regional service organization, is helping to make that possible.

In an effort to save money, FRCOG is making bulk orders of COVID-19 supplies and protective equipment. Towns and businesses can then purchase them from the agency at a discounted price.

At a recent FRCOG Council meeting, which is comprised of representatives from the 26 member towns, $50,000 was allocated for requested items like surgical and cloth masks, hand sanitizer, non-latex gloves, sanitizing wipes, face shields and thermometers — PPE that will be necessary to safely hold town meetings.

The reimbursement money provided by towns will go into a fund for a future purchase if this first endeavor goes as planned.

According to FRCOG Executive Director Linda Dunlavy, the project is intended to fill a need that’s being faced by cities and towns across Massachusetts: when it comes to obtaining supplies, they are on their own.

“The state is not assisting them with the procurement of PPE,” Dunlavy said. “We decided we should try to help the region.”

Notably, businesses are included in the program. Dunlavy said FRCOG has been investigating the region’s needs around PPE for some time. Of 100 municipalities and businesses that responded to a recent survey, 95 said a bulk order would be helpful and that they would use the supplies.

After FRCOG places the first order, it will make plans for distribution — either curbside pickup or some sort of handover.

“We’ll reassess things before every order to decide how to move forward,” Dunlavy noted.

From affordable housing to public health projects, time and again, FRCOG has proven its value to the region. We applaud this most recent initiative and those behind it.

Hopefully, the program will alleviate some of the pressure cities and towns are under as the region moves toward reopening.

In this next phase of the COVID-19 era, it’s forward-thinking programs like this that will keep Franklin County moving in the right direction.