When the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) would be available, Marine Bank recognized that the underserved businesses, those in low-income communities, were not applying for their fair share of the much-needed stimulus. 

To ensure that low-income businesses had access to the stimulus, Marine Bank partnered with The Florida SBDC at Indian River State College (IRSC) to provide outreach to the businesses of Gifford, Florida, an area with a poverty rate of 27.5%.

Six complimentary PPP counseling and application events were held in the parking lot of the Gifford Youth Achievement Center at 4875 43rd Avenue in Vero Beach during the month of March. As of April 1st, Marine Bank had processed more than 50 Gifford business applications, 25 of which have closed providing the Gifford business community with more than $230,000 in financial assistance.

Marine Bank would like to thank the Florida SBDC for their partnership on this endeavor and their ongoing commitment to provide businesses the expertise and resources to succeed.  We would also like to thank Marine Bank’s April Williams whose personal outreach and social media posts were a critical driver of participant turnout.  And, the event could not have occurred without Freddie Woolfork, Director of PR & Facilities Operations at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center for allowing us to use their facilities, tables, chairs, and parking lot. 

PPP Assistance Collage of photos - business people in the community that Marine Bank has helped