IRON MOUNTAIN — Crispigna’s Italian Market has received a $20,000 grant with the help of First National Bank & Trust.

The 2023 FHLBI 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. Only six were awarded in Upper Michigan, according to a news release from First National Bank & Trust.

Le Sei Sorelle LLC, which does business as Crispigna’s, was the first Elevate grant First National Bank Senior Vice President/Chief Credit Officer Jean O’Dette has helped bring to Iron Mountain.

“Our banker, Jean O’Dette from First National Bank & Trust, notified us of an opportunity to apply for an Elevate grant, through the Federal Home Loan Bank that services Michigan and Indiana,” said Julie Cowling, a co-owner of the business. “The First National Bank & Trust sponsored our application to purchase new equipment and helped us through the process.”

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.

“Being able to partner with the Federal Home Loan Bank in order to provide $20,000 for our community? It’s a wonderful feeling,” O’Dette said.

Other recipients in the Upper Peninsula included Copper Country Boat Tours, Ghost House Farm and Beaver’s Lures of Escanaba.

Crispigna’s Italian Market has been a landmark on the North Side of Iron Mountain and known for their Italian products such as ravioli, sausage, pizzas, sauce, antipasto, porketta, bread and specialty meats and cheeses for nearly 100 years. Over time, the store has grown to include full event catering, lunch box programs, providing decadent desserts and unique gift baskets.

Crispinga’s owner Lori Cevigney says the grant money will go towards strengthening the store’s infrastructure.

“Additional projects in progress include adding a dedicated pizza station and sandwich station to streamline production efficiency. The Elevate grant will also support acquiring a dough roller and grab-and-go cooler facilitating customer self-service for meats and cheeses in the deli case. We’ve already purchased and installed a new AC unit,” Cevigney said. “With all of the new machinery and stuff that we have and that we’re getting, it throws off a lot of heat, so that helps us out in the kitchen and it helps our customers be more comfortable.”

“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,” Cowling said. “Upgrades are crucial for maintaining productivity and providing an enhanced experience for our loyal customers.”

For more information about Crispigna’s Italian Market of Iron Mountain, go to http://crispignasitalianmarket.com/.

For more information about First National Bank & Trust, go to https://www.fnbimk.com/.

For more information about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis’s Elevate small business grant or other community and housing programs, go to www.fhlbi.com.