Author: Chelsea Culp

On December 10, 2021, a devastating tornado hit Mayfield, KY and left an everlasting impact on our community. While the tornado was catastrophic, many good things have come out of the rubble such as organizations like Homes and Hope for Kentucky.

The focus of the Homes and Hope organization is to assist in the long-term disaster recovery of Mayfield and Graves County by rebuilding homes for those that had little or no insurance and fall below the average median income for the area. Its ultimate mission is to give families new hope in the community.

Many groups and individuals have collaborated with Homes and Hope to assist in its initiative through the donation of labor, skills, time, material, and money. The Homes and Hope mission is ongoing and requires continuous funding to allow the organization to purchase building materials and pay construction costs for each home built. The labor is provided by volunteer organizations, including ACTS, an Amish organization from Indiana and Christian Public Services.

Three local banks, First Kentucky Bank, Independence Bank, and FNB Bank, have all stepped up to help. They will combine their monetary resources, along with funds from the Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief Fund, to provide financing for a new house, which will benefit a local family that was directly impacted by the December 10^th tornado.

The Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief Fund was established from the numerous donations that flooded in from all over the country to help with our community’s relief efforts. This organization is designating $30,000 towards the rebuild of a home.

First Kentucky, Independence, and FNB, will help further that donation by matching the $30,000.  Each bank will make an individual donation of $10,000. The donations will be given to Homes and Hope for KY and will cover a portion of the funds necessary to build a new house, which is approximately $104,000 in total.

Homeowners also contribute towards the cost if they are able and typically include a portion of the FEMA or insurance payments they received. In addition, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati provides a grant of up to $20,000 per home that helps offset the cost of building.

“One thing we all have in common is a love for this community and the desire to help rebuild it. We all want to see Mayfield thrive again, and we know that will take a collaborative effort. We have wonderful partners from our community, as we see today with our local banks, and from farther away. We could not bring this hope to families without the partnership of volunteer organizations like Mennonite Disaster Services which is the lead on this project. We appreciate all those that continue to support our efforts financially and believe in our community. Being able to help a family have a home again is a great honor and a step in the right direction to making Mayfield whole again,” expressed Heather Nesler, Homes and Hope Board Co-Chair.

To apply for a home, donate, or learn more, please visit homesandhopeforky.com, email homesandhopeforky@gmail.com, or call 270-540-7070.

To learn more about the Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief fund, visit mayfieldgravesstrong.org.  Donations and requests for assistance can also be made through their site.

About FNB Bank, Inc.

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding 650 million.  FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. FNB is a 2021 and 2022 ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner.  The bank currently has nine locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway and Trigg County, with another office coming soon in 2022 in Marshall County.  FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

FNB Bank is pleased to announce that a check was presented for $65,000 from funds donated to the general FNB Disaster Recovery Fund to the Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief Fund organization. The Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief Fund is a 501-C3 non-profit organization dedicated to the post-tornado recovery efforts in Mayfield and Graves County.

“FNB is thankful for the many generous donations that were contributed to our Disaster Recovery Fund following the tornado that left our community devastated,” stated Sally Hopkins, FNB Bank President and CEO. “After much consideration, we feel that the Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief Fund and those who are involved within this organization know the needs of our community best and will utilize the $65,000 to maximize the positive impact on those in need in our community.”

The Mayfield Graves Tornado Relief Fund board members include Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan, Graves County Sherriff Jon Hayden, Graves County Judge Executive Jesse Perry, Retired Judge Tim Stark, and others heavily involved with the recovery efforts in Mayfield-Graves County. The organization utilizes a screening process to determine who will qualify for relief funds. The funds are currently being used to provide up to a $1,000 allowance for those who need vehicle repairs or a new vehicle due to tornado damage. They are also using funds to build numerous houses for tornado victims through the Homes and Hope for Kentucky organization.

The week following the devastating tornado, FNB established three accounts to benefit those who were impacted by the disaster. Two of the accounts were opened to benefit students and families of Mayfield Independent School and Graves County Schools who were impacted by the disaster and the corresponding funds for each account are controlled and dispersed by school employees. The general FNB Disaster Recovery Fund is still accepting donations and any funds received will continue to be given to non-profit organizations serving our local communities. Donations can be made online at FNB Bank Establishes Tornado Recovery Funds.

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding 650 million.  FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. FNB is a 2021 and 2022 ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner.  The bank currently has nine locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway and Trigg County, with another office coming soon in 2022 in Marshall County.  FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

FNB Bank (FNB) is proud to announce that the bank is expanding its footprint in western Kentucky by entering the Marshall County market.  FNB’s new Benton banking facility is projected to open in May 2022 and will be located at 315 W. 5th Street, Suite 700 in Benton, the previous home of Verizon Wireless.

“FNB has been serving customers in Marshall County through our existing branch network in neighboring counties,” stated Sally Hopkins, FNB President and CEO.  “We look forward to being more accessible to our customers with this new location and continuing to grow FNB in Marshall County.”

“We are excited to be opening in Marshall County,” added Trent Lovett, FNB Marshall County Market President.  “Our customer base in Marshall County has been steadily growing without a branch here, so it made perfect sense to expand and open our new Benton office.  We are looking forward to playing an active role in serving the community, while also serving new and existing customers with all of their banking needs.”

The new banking facility is FNB’s third concept branch, modeled after the bank’s Murray South and Paducah Midtown offices. The branch offers new modern aesthetics and banking amenities along with an image deposit-taking ATM.  All the while, the new office will still offer traditional banking services and delivery channels to appeal to all customer bases.  “Our new Benton office will feature a modern look and our ‘Start Something Today’ brand,” stated Hopkins.  “We are also proud to incorporate design elements that are exclusive to Marshall County as the focal theme utilized throughout the office.”

The grand opening of FNB’s new Benton Office is projected by the end of June 2022.  A ribbon cutting and grand opening event will be announced as plans are finalized.  To learn more about FNB, go to GrowWithFNB.com or contact Trent Lovett at (270) 387-3062 or by e-mail at trent.lovett@growwithfnb.com.

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding 650 million.  FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. FNB is a 2021 and 2022 ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner.  The bank currently has nine locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway and Trigg County, with another office coming soon in 2022 in Marshall County.  FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

In recognition of National Ag Day, FNB Bank and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) are celebrating the contributions of America’s local farmers, ranchers, and agricultural enterprises.

“FNB recognizes the vital role that agriculture plays in the well-being of our local communities and country as a whole,” stated Lori Noel, FNB’s EVP/Chief Lending Officer.  “At FNB, we are committed to supporting our local farmers and the agricultural industry, as we all continue to preserve our nation’s natural resources for the betterment of society.”

Community banks provide 80% of all financing to and are often the catalysts for new and expanded business opportunities within their communities. In fact, community banks provide roughly $130 billion in agriculture loans.

National Ag Day was founded nearly 50 years ago to recognize the contributions of farmers in providing Americans with healthy, affordable, and abundant food options. ICBA offers the following facts about the agriculture industry:

• The typical American farmer produces enough food and fiber to feed 166 people, producing jobs and investment throughout the economy.
• Americans spend less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food, allowing consumers financial freedom to purchase other goods.
• Farming and related industries employ 21.6 million people, making up 11 percent of total U.S. employment.

“Community banks have been serving the agricultural community for more than a century, applying their intrinsic knowledge of local markets and relationship-based lending philosophy to address this sector’s financial needs,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “Our nation’s community bankers look forward to building on this rich tradition of service, which supports our nation’s food supply and bolsters our economy.”

 About FNB Bank

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding 650 million.  FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. FNB is a 2021 and 2022 ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner.  The bank currently has nine locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway and Trigg County, with another office coming soon in 2022 in Marshall County.  FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

 About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. ICBA is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education, and high-quality products and services.

 With nearly 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute roughly 99 percent of all banks, employ nearly 700,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding nearly $5.9 trillion in assets, over $4.9 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.5 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.

With the recent change in how school resource officers (SRO) are funded in Marshall County, FNB Bank felt it was important to assist the school system with maintaining a high safety standard.  FNB is proud to help fund an indispensable program that helps protect the safety of students, teachers, staff, and beyond.  FNB is pledging to donate $50,000 over a three-year term to help fund the School Resource Officers at Marshall County Schools.  The initial donation consisted of $25,000 in 2021 to help give the program a boost in funding.  FNB will continue to pay the school system an additional $15,000 in 2022 and $10,000 in 2023 to help sustain the program, as the sheriff’s office and school system continue to seek additional funding resources for the program.

“FNB Bank applauds the Marshall County School District for funding a School Resource Officer in each of their nine schools,” stated Trent Lovett, FNB Business Banking Officer.  “With this donation spread over the next three years we are committed to help offset some of the cost and allow the MCSD to utilize funds that are normally set aside for SROs for educational purposes for Marshall County students.  We could think of no better cause for a donation than the safety of our students.  FNB Bank looks forward to a long-standing partnership with the Marshall County School District.”

The school system currently has 11 resource officers who are sworn sheriff’s deputies, who are paid in part by the sheriff’s department.  When the SROs are working on a school campus, the school district pays for their service.  FNB’s three-year commitment will assist the school system with funding to provide the level of SRO support necessary to maintain the high level of security needed for the schools.

FNB Bank, founded in 1875, is one of the oldest banks in the state of Kentucky with assets exceeding 650 million.  FNB ranks among the highest in the nation in the area of safety and soundness. FNB is a 2021 and 2022 ‘Best Places to Work in Kentucky’ Small Business Category Award Winner.  The bank currently has nine locations located in Graves, McCracken, Calloway and Trigg County, with another office coming soon in 2022 in Marshall County.  FNB is member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.