News & Events

Chris and Sherry Hardie, owners of Brambleberry Winery, accept FHLBank Chicago's Community First Accelerate Grant from Jeff Blaken, CCU Business Lending Manager.

Through Co-op Credit Union’s (CCU) partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) Brambleberry Winery of West Salem, WI was awarded a grant of $30,000 through the 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.

Brambleberry Winery began operations in 2013 in rural Taylor. With recent relocation to downtown West Salem, owners, Chris and Sherry Hardie, will be using the grant funds to make interior and exterior enhancements to improve the customer experience and are expanding production by purchasing additional equipment and supplies.

“We are so very grateful for this grant, which will enable Brambleberry Winery to complete the needed alterations to the kitchen in the building we relocated to in West Salem a year ago,” said Sherry Hardie. “It will also help us to buy the necessary equipment and supplies needed to efficiently expand our wine production. All of this will help us to serve our customers even better.”

Brambleberry Winery was nominated by CCU for the grant because of their commitment to advocating for all small businesses throughout the 7 Rivers Region, supporting community growth and for their goal of expansion and hiring local employees.

“Over the years, Brambleberry has been an excellent business partner, one who aligns with our purpose of making a lasting impact within our communities,” said Jeff Blaken, CCU’s Member Business Lending Manager. “We’re proud to be able to support them through their business journey.”

The grant was sponsored by CCU, whose roots were founded by local farmers and small business owners back in 1938. Since then, CCU has been a proud supporter of the community and its members. With FHLBank Chicago’s grant, CCU is able to help local businesses grow and develop to continue to provide communities with more opportunities.

“It has been a pleasure working with CCU for all our personal and business banking needs,” Hardie said. “Jeff Blaken, our loan officer, the CCU board and the rest of CCU’s team have always been receptive and responsive to the needs of our expanding business. They have been so easy to work with and we look forward to many more years in partnership with CCU.”

The Community First® 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.”

For more information on Accelerate Grants and eligibility, visit www.fhlbc.com.

About Co-op Credit Union

Co-op Credit Union has eight branch locations throughout western Wisconsin and currently serves over 22,000 members and holds over $500 million in assets.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit fhlbc.com.