ROCHELLE – This week, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) awarded Midwestern Clothing Company a grant of $15,000 through its Community First Accelerate Grants for Small Business program. FHLBank Chicago offers grants of up to $30,000 to eligible small businesses to advance economic opportunity in the communities it serves.

Midwestern Clothing Company LLC is a huge supporter of local business and collaborates with others to create an experience for their customers.  Midwestern Clothing Company also partners with the Rochelle Area Community Foundation to raise funds for their Endowment Fund for "Giving Tuesday." The funds raised go directly back into the community they serve.

Midwestern Clothing Company truly shows kindness and compassion to not only their customers, but to all community members as well. They do their best to lift others up and work together with many businesses within the community. They love their community and are committed to helping wherever they can along the way.

Additionally, Haley Kersten Brill (co-owner, Midwestern Clothing Company) was one of two people from the local district to be invited by a state representative to attend an Emerging Women Leaders Conference in Springfield where she was recognized by the House Leader for her dedication to her community.

This grant will be used to improve exterior signage & building appearance, purchase additional inventory in wider range of sizes and improve equipment for customization. 

“This grant is an incredible opportunity for us to make some improvements to our retail space and grow our inventory in order to provide a better experience for our customers,” Brill said. “We appreciate the time and effort of the team at Holcomb Bank and for making this happen for us.  It’s such an incredible compliment to be thought of in a meeting and recommended for a program like this.”

Through FHLBank Chicago’s member institutions, like Holcomb Bank, Accelerate Grants assist the growth and development of small businesses in Illinois and Wisconsin. All grant recipients are small businesses that make a difference in their community, and funds are intended for the following purposes:

The purchase or improvement of property, the purchase of machinery, tools or equipment; the purchase of inventory, materials, or supplies; workforce development or training; new or upgraded technology.

“Small businesses play an integral role in local communities in driving economic growth, from creating jobs to fostering community development,” said Katie Naftzger, senior vice president, community investment officer, FHLBank Chicago. “As a leader in the housing and community development space, FHLBank Chicago recognizes that affordable housing isn’t just about the homes themselves — it’s about ensuring entire communities have what they need to thrive, including economic opportunities for the residents and small businesses who call them home.”

The grant was sponsored by Holcomb Bank. 

“Midwestern Clothing Company is such a local success story,” Holcomb Bank President/CEO Perry W. Byers said. “From starting an online retail business to bringing it full circle into a downtown storefront, we couldn’t be prouder of what Haley, Kelsey & Alyssa have accomplished.  Not only do they run a solid business, they make a point to give back to the community and support other businesses.  This grant allows us to support our small business customers in the best way.”