A $16,000 Award Will Help Save Cherished Lexington Landmark

A $16,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through one of its members, BankPlus, is helping restore the historic Lundy House in Lexington, Mississippi to its former glory. The PGP funds will be used for an architectural survey for the Lundy House.

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FHLB Dallas, BankPlus and Friends of Lexington Preservation celebrate a $16,000 award to revitalize the Lundy House. Front row: Ellis Harris III, Kathleen Hooker Waldrop, Mark Ouellette, Fran Thurmond and Bruce Hatton. Back row: Leroy Riley, Watt Ervin, Leonard Hampton, Landon Vollar, Phil Cohen and James Young. (Photo: Business Wire)

The historic Lundy House, built around 1860, was once a stagecoach stop and hotel. It’s been an anchor of the Lexington historic district for decades. After it was slated for demolition in 2019, public outcry kept the house standing. The proposed plan is to restore and repurpose the 150-year-old landmark into a multipurpose community center for the arts.

Kathleen Hooker Waldrop, board member of Friends of Lexington Preservation, says that transforming the Lundy House into an arts and cultural hub isn't just a historic renovation — it's about making community stronger, building partnerships, and boosting economic growth.

“This project is all about promoting and celebrating the unique local arts, history and culture of Holmes County while bringing people together," she said.

Mark Ouellette, senior vice president and director of Affordable Housing Program at BankPlus, agrees that investment in communities is crucial for their success.

“Projects like this can make a big impact on a community. The restoration of the Lundy House is significant to Holmes County and demonstrates BankPlus’ continued commitment to this area.”

Mississippi community-based organizations received $166,500 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and seven member institutions as part of its annual Partnership Grant Program (PGP). Under the PGP program, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute $500 to $4,000 to a nonprofit, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio to provide up to $12,000 to the organization per member. The awards help promote and strengthen relationships between community-based nonprofits and FHLB Dallas members.

Boosting community investment has long been a part of FHLB Dallas’ mission.

“Revitalizing communities is such an important part of our mission at FHLB Dallas,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “The community interest in this project shows how important it is to preserve historic sites.”

View this PGP video to see a complete list of the 2023 PGP grant recipients. For more information about the 2023 PGP grants and other FHLB Dallas community investment products and programs, please visit fhlb.com/pgp.

About BankPlus

Founded in 1909, BankPlus is one of the Southeast’s premier regional banks serving consumers and businesses with the latest technology through a full suite of financial services, including retail banking, commercial banking, mortgage lending and wealth management. With over $7.5 billion in total assets, BankPlus operates over 80 financial centers throughout Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. For more information about BankPlus, visit www.bankplus.net.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $147.6 billion as of September 30, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com.

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