IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – In Dickinson County, Crispigna’s Italian Market, a nearly-century-old local business, secures a significant boost through a generous small business grant.
Julie Cowling, co-owner of Crispigna’s, expressed gratitude, stating, “Our bank, First National Bank, notified us of an opportunity to apply for an Elevate grant, involving Michigan and Indiana. As our store turns 99 years old and approaches its hundredth birthday next year, we’re preparing for challenges tied to aging equipment and facilities.”
The Elevate grant, awarded to only 38 businesses out of 233 regional applicants, provided Crispigna’s the full $20,000, with additional points for being a women-owned business.
Cowling outlined the planned upgrades, noting, “The cooling and grab-and-go improvements will absorb most of the Elevate contribution. We’ve already implemented mini-split systems for better air circulation, enhancing customer comfort and reducing strain on our equipment.”
She further detailed the projects in progress, including a dedicated pizza station and sandwich station to streamline production efficiency. The Elevate grant will also support acquiring a dough roller and facilitating customer self-service for meats and cheeses in the deli case.
As Crispigna’s celebrates its hundredth birthday next fall, these upgrades are crucial for maintaining productivity and providing an enhanced experience for their loyal customers.
Other recipients in the Upper Peninsula, such as Copper Country Boat Tours, Ghost House Farm, and Beaver’s Lures of Escanaba, also benefited from the Elevate Small Business Grant Program.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, which oversees the Elevate program, has awarded $705,130 in grant funding to small businesses in Michigan and Indiana this year. The grants aim to support for-profit businesses generating less than $1 million in annual revenue, evaluating feasibility and community impact in the application process.
For more information about Crispignia’s Italian Market of Iron Mountain, visit:
http://crispignasitalianmarket.com/
For more information about banking with First National Bank and Trust, visit:
For more information about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’s Elevate Small business grant or other community and housing programs, visit:
www.fhlbi.com
(Or contact Scott Thien, Sr. Internal Communications Lead, at sthien@fhlbi.com )
