Manatee County, Fla.: Financial institution OZK (Nasdaq: OZK) has dedicated to funding one Manatee County Habitat for Humanity (Manatee Habitat) house yearly for the subsequent three years, totaling roughly $380,000 in donations. The cash donated this yr will fund a home for potential house owner, LaShawn’te, and her three kids.
An early childhood educator and single mom of 4, LaShawn’te at present lives in a rental house with three of her kids. With a skyrocketing housing market, her lease has elevated yearly since they moved in.
Due to Financial institution OZK, LaShawn’te and her kids will transfer into their 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in Manatee Habitat’s Palmetto Triangle group in the summertime of 2023. Along with funding three properties over the subsequent three years, the financial institution’s workers may also volunteer their time on the development website to assist construct every home they sponsor.
“Financial institution OZK is dedicated to the communities we serve and the monetary well being of our neighbors in Manatee County,” mentioned Kerry Ward, Market President, Industrial Banking. “Homeownership creates stability and serves as a big wealth-building instrument. We’re proud to help Manatee Habitat with this contribution to allow them to proceed to offer deserving households like LaShawn’te’s with protected and reasonably priced housing.”
Financial institution OZK has supported Manatee Habitat for the previous 5 years within the type of discounted workplace house lease. This yr they determined to take the partnership to the subsequent degree by making the most important company dedication to Manatee Habitat since its founding in 1994.
“After we determined to scale as much as constructing 10 properties a yr, we knew that it will take the assistance of our company companions,” mentioned Bernie Quinn, President and CEO of Manatee Habitat. “We’re so grateful that Financial institution OZK believes in our mission sufficient to assist us attain our formidable purpose.”
This roughly $380,000 donation will likely be made by way of the Group Contribution Tax Credit score Program (CCTCP). The lately handed Reside Native Act dramatically elevated funding for the CCTCP, which provides companies tax credit for contributing to constructing an reasonably priced house.
“By the Reside Native Act, the Florida Legislature doubled down on tax credit, rising from $14.5 million to $25 million, for Florida companies to help group growth and housing initiatives for low-income communities,” mentioned State Senetor Jim Boyd. “It is a nice instance of private and non-private sectors working collectively to increase attainable housing choices throughout the Sunshine State.”
With the continuously rising value of land and constructing supplies, Manatee Habitat depends on donations like these from their company companions to assist get an increasing number of native households into protected, reasonably priced properties.
Pictured (left to proper): Justin Zaleski, SVP, Regional Govt, Group Banking, Financial institution OZK; Kerry Ward, Market President, Industrial Banking, Financial institution OZK; Bernie Quinn, President/CEO, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity; Emily Lane, Growth Director, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity
About Financial institution OZK
Financial institution OZK (Nasdaq: OZK) is a regional financial institution offering progressive monetary options delivered by skilled bankers with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Established in 1903, Financial institution OZK conducts banking operations with over 240 places of work in eight states together with Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, New York, California and Mississippi and had $28.97 billion in complete belongings as of March 31, 2023. Financial institution OZK might be discovered at ozk.com.