First Farmers Bank & Trust Earns $20k Elevate Small Business Grant on Behalf of Boone County Cake Co.

LEBANON, Ind. (Oct. 22, 2025) — First Farmers Bank & Trust is proud to announce it has secured a $20,000 grant for Boone County Cake Co. through the Elevate Small Business Grant program from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. The grant will fund a project designed to expand the bakery’s production capacity and create additional employment opportunities as the business continues to grow.

“The Boone County Cake Co. has been operational in Lebanon for a couple of years and we’re excited about their growth trajectory and the unique experience offered to the community.” said Corey Kutz, Business Development Officer for First Farmers Bank & Trust’s Lebanon branch.

Elevate Small Business Grants are awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis through its member financial institutions. Member institutions apply for the grant on behalf oftheir small business customers, and eligible applications are awarded up to $20,000 in funds to support the growth and development of small businesses across Indiana and Michigan.

Elevate is available annually through participating member financial institutions of FHLBank Indianapolis. FHLBank Indianapolis does not award funds directly to small businesses, business owners who are interested in the program must work with a participating member financial institution to access grant funds. Eligible businesses must be headquartered in Indiana or Michigan, have been in continuous operation for at least one year and earn less than $1 million in annual gross revenue. In 2025, FHLBank Indianapolis has committed $3 million in funds for the program.

For more information about Elevate Small Business Grants, including the full list of 2025 recipients, visit www.fhlbi.com/elevate. For more information about First Farmers Bank & Trust, visit www.ffbt.com or follow First Farmers on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.