FirstBank Holds a Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Basalt Branch Location 

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FirstBank Holds a Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Basalt Branch Location 

Bank donates $20,000 to local nonprofit, The Arts Campus at Willits   

FirstBank, one of the nation’s largest privately held banks with a focus on “banking for good,” just held a groundbreaking ceremony for its newest branch location in the Willits Town Center in Basalt.

This is FirstBank’s first location in Basalt and fourth in the Roaring Fork Valley since establishing itself in the valley in 2012 and is expected to create more than five new full-time jobs. It also signals FirstBank’s broader commitment to the community, including cultivating partnerships with Basalt’s business and nonprofit partners. 

During the ceremony, Dave Portman, FirstBank Roaring Fork Valley Market President, presented a $20,000 check to The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW). FirstBank is a TACAW Corporate Founder with a $40,000 investment, whose donation will support TACAW’s capital campaign to fund their newest facility, The Contemporary.  

 “FirstBank is looking forward to opening its doors in Basalt and continuing to plant our roots in the Roaring Fork Valley,” Portman said. “We’re eager to strengthen our relationships with the individuals and organizations, like The Arts Campus at Willits, in Basalt, which is central to our mission of ‘banking for good.’”  

TACAW Executive Director Ryan Honey was on site, “We’re extremely grateful for FirstBank’s support, and welcome them as our newest neighbors,” Honey said. “With the opening of The Contemporary, we’ll be able to expand our mission of bringing performing arts and entertainment to this community, and will continue to spur creativity in our residents.” 

According to the Federal Reserve, the average rural banking customer travels five times further for banking services than customers in large urban areas. “We are proud to expand the options for banking in the Roaring Fork Valley, helping to close the rural banking gap and making FirstBank’s financial tools more accessible to our mountain communities,” added Portman. 

During the groundbreaking ceremony Nate Grinzinger, Parks Manager and Bike Park Director of Crown Mountain Bike Park, also spoke. Earlier this year, FirstBank partnered with the Crown Mountain Bike Park on “The Shot Heard ‘Round the Valley,” a bike giveaway hosted at its Carbondale branch. FirstBank is an Official Sponsor of the park with a $20,000 investment. 

The Basalt branch is expected to open in April 2022 and will occupy just under 3,700 square feet. The new space will be designed by local firm, 2757 Design, with PCNI based out of Grand Junction acting as general contractor.  

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