November 18, 2025 (Brownsburg, IN)- Hendricks County Bank and Trust is proud to announce it has secured $20,000 in grants to reinvest into Hendricks County small businesses. HCBT is proud to award The Republican Newspaper and African Plum Home & More, each with a $10,000 development grant through @Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’ Elevate Small Business Grants program.

“Elevate grants allow us to reinvest directly in our community and advocate on behalf of the small business owner,” said Jerry Orem, President of HCBT. “But it’s so much more than funding. It’s a vote of confidence in the drive of the small business owner. It empowers them to grow their business, possibly increase their workforce, improve internal systems and strengthen how they serve our community.”

The Republican Newspaper, with their business location in Danville, will use its grant for operational upgrades. “The Republican proudly serves Hendricks County, sharing stories that matter most to our community for 178 years!” said Jerry Vornholt, owner. “In the past five years, we’ve experienced significant growth and recognize the need to upgrade our software to better serve our readers. Thanks to the Elevate grant and our partnership with HCBT, we are able to enhance our operations and continue delivering a high-quality experience to our subscribers. Thanks to HCBT for supporting our mission and helping us grow more efficiently.”

African Plum is a furniture, home décor and gift store in Plainfield, with 2 locations- one off Main Street and a retail warehouse off Mill St in Plainfield. With the funds, there are plans to launch a website, add more prominent signage, and expand offerings. “This means so much to our business, especially as we enter the season when foot traffic naturally slows,” said owners Hadj and Suzanne Diallo. “It gives us the opportunity to strengthen our visibility along Main Street, solidify our presence in Plainfield and connect with more customers throughout Hendricks County and other areas.”

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 of their small business customers. Eligible applications are awarded up to $20,000 in funds to support small business growth across Indiana and Michigan. Eligible businesses must be headquartered in Indiana or Michigan, have been in continuous operation for at least one year and earn less than $1M in annual gross revenue. In 2025, FHLBank Indianapolis committed $3M in funds for the program.

For more information about Elevate Small Business Grants, including the full list of 2025 recipients and program requirements, please visit http://www.fhlbi.com/elevate or contact your local HCBT Loan Officer.

The mission statement of Hendricks County Bank and Trust is to promote economic prosperity - improving the quality of life in the community we serve. Founded in 1908, Hendricks County Bank and Trust Company has been locally operated for 113 years. With five locations in the county, Hendricks County Bank provides outstanding customer service along with the latest technology and innovative products. The bank’s employees are engaged in Hendricks County so they understand the local economy and the areas that are served. Visit the bank’s website at HCBT.bank for more details.