First Southwest Bank secures grants for eight small businesses

The bank awarded $10,000 through partnership with the National Community Investment Fund

ColoradoBiz Staff //June 12, 2020//

First Southwest Bank secures grants for eight small businesses

The bank awarded $10,000 through partnership with the National Community Investment Fund

ColoradoBiz Staff //June 12, 2020//

First Southwest Bank (FSWB) secured grants for eight of its small business customers through the National Community Investment Fund (NCIF) Cares Initiative, a grant program designed to help small business customers of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) banks which have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

“As a CDFI, we’re always looking for relevant and innovative ways to serve our customers,” said Kent Curtis, First Southwest Bank CEO. “We recognized that many of our small business customers need assistance beyond the PPP. We are extremely thankful that the National Community Investment Fund created this opportunity to help small businesses in our community.”

“CDFI and Minority Banks act as anchors in underserved communities nationally with knowledge of the needs of the local communities.  The NCIF Cares Initiative leverages this knowledge to quickly deliver grants to small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are very impressed with the speed at which First Southwest Bank identified grantees – a clear demonstration of their market position,” says Saurabh Narain, president and CEO of the NCIF.

Each awardee will receive a $1,250 grant. Awardees include:

  • Colorado Catch: a fish production facility in Sanford.
  • Elevated Dental: a dentist in Telluride.
  • Alpine Medical & Specialty Practices: a single service provider located in Pagosa Springs.
  • Saguache Works: a health food store and thrift store in Saguache.
  • Purple Pig Pizzeria & Pub: a restaurant in Alamosa.
  • Three Guys Freight: a hauling operation located in Monte Vista but serving the lower 48.
  • Clearnetworx: an internet provider based out of Montrose.

About First Southwest Bank

Serving the San Luis Valley and rural Colorado for more than 100 years, First Southwest Bank offers personal and business banking at their six branches, with an emphasis on businesses supporting rural communities. First Southwest Bank and its employees actively live-in and give back to our communities. As a CDFI bank, First Southwest Bank is focused on cultivating valuable relationships, investing in economic and social doers, and fostering a well-lived rural culture.