While Heather Robinson, CityROCK Climbing Gym General Manager, has struggled to compensate her entire staff at full pay for the last six weeks, she now has that warm feeling only new love or a much needed $20,000 cash infusion can bring. Today, Ent Credit Union celebrated #GivingTuesdayNow by revealing CityROCK as its first place We ♥ Small Business Giveaway winner.
“This is amazing! We are so grateful to Ent, our community and everyone who voted for us,” Robinson said. “Thank you for making this possible. Especially now as we continue to support our staff and put measures into place so we’re ready to welcome back our loyal community once we can reopen our doors.”
CityROCK is one of four independent, Front Range businesses to win a total of $50,000 during Ent Credit Union’s social media We ♥ Small Business Giveaway, April 9 through May 3, 2020. They include:
- $20,000 – First place to CityROCK, Colorado Springs
- $15,000 – Second place to El Taco Rey, Colorado Springs
- $10,000 – Third place to Sanko LLC Custom Woodworking, Denver
- $5,000 – Fourth place to SoCo Escape Room, Pueblo
“We’ve been financially supporting more than 50 employees during the closure. This $20,000 can help our employees not just survive, but thrive,” she said on CityROCK’s finalist video on Ent’s Facebook page.
More than 11,000 nominations from the public show just how much love is out there for people’s favorites. “This has really been a great platform to get well-deserved attention for so many amazing small businesses,” said Jennifer Sussman, Ent Credit Union Chief Marketing Officer. “And I know I’m not the only one who can’t wait to get out there and try some of these great places.”
Established in 2009, CityROCK aims to help people live more fulfilling lives through fitness and community by offering climbing, yoga and fitness classes and a fun place to connect. It’s also home to the Ute & Yeti casual café and pub, which was recognized in Men’s Journal as one of the 10 Coolest Places in America to Drink Craft Beer.
During the giveaway, Ent invited Coloradans to nominate their favorite independent, Front Range small business on Facebook. Businesses were also encouraged to self-nominate. And everyone was asked to share what makes the business so great.
Twenty semi-finalists were randomly selected from all nominations. A panel of Ent judges then selected four finalists for public vote. Prizes were awarded per online vote totals.
“While Ent has provided more than $1.4 million in increased business line of credit support and deferred loan payments on business loans totaling $89 million, we wanted to do more to help small businesses,” Sussman said. “They’re the backbone of our communities – and some of the hardest hit by this crisis.”
Additional #weheartsmallbusiness sweepstakes information and rules are available at Ent.com/welovesmallbusiness.
About Ent’s COVID-19 Member Relief Programs Please visit Ent.com/Coronavirus.
About Ent’s $250,000 Emergency COVID-19 Donations Please visit our press release page.
About Ent Founded in 1957, for the second consecutive year Ent is ranked Colorado’s #1 credit union by Forbes. A different kind of financial institution, Ent is committed to improving members’ financial quality of life with better rates, lower fees and Ent Extras® Cash Rewards. With $6+ billion in assets, Ent serves more than 370,000 members at more than 35 convenient service centers all along the Front Range. Businesses and people (who live, work, worship or attend school) in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Teller and Weld counties may join the not-for-profit financial, community-chartered credit union. Ent is an Equal Housing Opportunity and Equal Opportunity Lender, insured by the NCUA.