b'Theyve even collaborated with their bank about workforceBeyond their community outreach work, initiatives with development. The bank supports several nonprofits in thethe Sea Cadets, or unique approach to the hiring process, city, including multiple clients in the maritime industry, allJohnson noted that making maritime accessible to a more of whom are looking to hire more employees. Johnson saiddiversepoolofbusinessownerswillalsohelpaddress theyre working with the bank to help those other clientsworkforce shortages. Maritime is a capital-intensive indus-train people to fulfill their staffing needs. try and making access to capital more obtainable to a wid-er group of potential operators would help. He also dis-Our goal is to reach people who havent had the awarenesscussed creating more flexible infrastructure. In our case, andhaventhadtheopportunitybutcertainlywantthewe have a 100-passenger vessel; it has a freeboard of three opportunity to make a viable living and feed their familiesfeet, Johnson explained. So, I need different infrastruc-becausethatscommunityeconomicdevelopment,John- ture to use any given pier. If infrastructure is expanded to son said. With solid careers built in maritime, people canaccommodate more small vessels, it may remove a barrier raise their income level and unlock more opportunities forto entry for a beginning operator and incentivize people themselves and their families. It may make private school orto start a business in maritime. And the more people you college viable for a student that wouldnt have considered ithave starting businesses, now youve increased the number before. Family members may be able to afford better care forof people who look like the people in their community. aging loved ones. In each case, the money comes back into theAnd its like, Oh, he has a business. I see that theres some community. Thats community building. Thats economictheres some traffic here. Because the more options you development just based on your income level that just gothave, the more traffic you get. Johnson laughed. Thats pushed up a notch, Johnson explained. So thats the goal.more members for PVA.27 OCTOBER 2025'