Upper Peninsula State Bank, affiliated with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI), has recently promoted the FHLBI Elevate Grant Program to local entrepreneurs Heidi and Adam Haeusler. The bank played a key role in helping them to apply for and secure funding under this small business grant initiative designed to support the development and growth of small businesses and their communities.
To be eligible, business owners must collaborate with a member bank like Upper Peninsula State Bank. The Haeuslers, who operate Mr. Bike & Ski in downtown Escanaba, received a $20,000 grant. Their shop caters to the outdoor enthusiasts of Escanaba and the nearby Delta County area, promoting tourism and outdoor activities. Heidi Haeusler shared, “Our mission is to connect more people to the outdoors and foster an active lifestyle. We are committed to improving adventure travel in Escanaba and feel it’s our duty to make our store and recreational opportunities in Delta County more accessible for both residents and tourists. We applied for this grant believing that reinvesting the funds will enhance our business’s value and align with our city’s growth vision.”
The couple intends to use the grant to enhance their store with upgrades like a new sign and a drinking fountain. Additionally, they plan to purchase e-bikes for their inventory and establish a rental bike fleet. They are also eager to send their Lead Mechanic to a specialized Fox Master Tech Clinic at the United Bicycle Institute.
David Williams, President and CEO of Upper Peninsula State Bank, expressed the bank’s commitment to the FHLBI Elevate Grant Program. “As a member of the FHLBI, it is essential for us to connect businesses in our U.P. communities with the financial resources they need to further their objectives. Like Mr. Bike and Ski, we are dedicated to progress and development in the U.P., and we look forward to assisting more businesses through the FHLBI Elevate Grant Program in the future.”
Founded in 1902, Upper Peninsula State Bank is a full-service banking institution based in the Upper Peninsula with branches in Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Gladstone, Marquette, and Houghton.