First National Bank awards winning pitches from three area businesses

Special to the Clinton Journal
Posted 10/25/17

First National Bank awards winning

pitches from three area businesses

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First National Bank awards winning pitches from three area businesses

Posted

CLINTON — First National Bank & Trust Company announced that $10,000 was distributed to three local businesses on Friday, Oct. 13, as the result of bank’s 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.