First National Bank Gives Away $10,000 to Local Businesses

October 17, 2017

Clinton, IL October 17, 2017 -  First National Bank & Trust Company is proud to announce $10,000 was distributed to three local businesses on Friday, Oct. 13 at the result of their REV event.

First National Bank & Trust Company hosted REV - a small business pitch competition - as a way to reinvest in local small businesses and entrepreneurs. With $10,000 at stake, applicants to REV were given 10 minutes to pitch their business ideas, with five minutes for questions  from a panel of four judges. Judges included; Josh Shofner, Market President of First National Bank & Trust Co., Rachel Costello, VP of Personal Banking at First National Bank, Marian Brisard, Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and David Torbert, President of DeWitt County Development Council. 

Three businesses received funds from the event. Those businesses include; The Buttered Bun, Triple M Farms, and Dial Farms. The most substantial sum went to  Buttered Bun, who won $5,000 to go toward a new commercial stove.

“We are honored, humbled and extremely grateful to have been selected to receive the REV monetary award," said Lauren Johnson, owner of The Buttered Bun. "First National Bank is community driven and we are lucky to have their never-ending support. We also thank the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, as they have been a huge part of the community, constantly contributing to the growth of many small (and big) businesses," said Johnson. "We cannot wait to see what the future holds for our small-town bakery; we promise to continue to pour our heart and soul into what we do!”

Triple M Farms received $3,000 to help put a down-payment on a delivery truck.

“We truly appreciate First National Bank and Trust providing this unique funding opportunity for small businesses in our community," said Mariah Anderson, who works alongside her husband Greg Anderson as owners of Triple M Farms. "First National Bank's commitment to supporting local is vital to the growth and success of small businesses in our community, and the additional funding allows for us to expand our efforts further in providing a local source of plants and fresh produce to our community and surrounding counties.”

Dials Farms received $2,000, which Mason Dial, owner, says will add additional livestock to his operation, allowing his business to grow.

"As a young beginning farmer branching off from my family farm, I was excited for the opportunity to pitch my small business for First National Bank’s REV," said Dial."I was even more excited to hear that I was chosen as one of the winners, and am thankful for First National Bank’s generosity, and I plan to use the money to add livestock to my operation which will allow my business to grow and have a faster return on my assets."

Applications for the 2018 First National Bank REV will open next year. To learn more about REV, visit firstnbtc.com/rev. 

About First National Bank: First National Bank & Trust Company is a community bank located in Clinton, Illinois. Dedicated to community prosperity, the bank was chartered in 1872 under the name DeWitt County National Bank. The name was changed First National Bank and Trust Company in 1974, and was recently acquired by TS Banking Group in 2017. With $125 million in assets, First National Bank is dedicated to community reinvestment and gives 10% of its net income back to the community. For more information visit firstnbtc.com.