Business Hall of Fame exhibit recognizes Alerus among notable North Dakota businesses

June 23, 2026

The first hall of fame designed to honor and celebrate businesses in North Dakota recently opened in Medora, North Dakota, featuring Alerus as one of 17 legendary and inspiring North Dakota companies.

The exhibit, Built on Grit: North Dakota Business Hall of Fame, was created by Dakota Business Lending in partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Located inside the Harold Schafer Heritage Center in Medora, it was designed to “honor the entrepreneurial spirit that built North Dakota and inspire the next generation to build what’s next,” according to Dakota Business Lending.

The interactive exhibit highlights businesses across four categories that have developed lasting legacies throughout North Dakota and beyond. Companies were selected based on criteria such as measurable community impact and a strong ethical reputation.

With roots dating back to 1879 as the Bank of Grand Forks, Alerus was the second bank chartered in Dakota Territory and a charter member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. It has operated continuously as an independent financial services provider for nearly 150 years and is the only publicly traded bank (Nasdaq: ALRS) headquartered in North Dakota. Alerus also has one of the state’s longest running employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), giving employees company ownership and a vested interest in clients’ success.

“The history of Alerus reflects perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to doing the right thing,” Alerus President and CEO Katie O’Neill Lorenson says. “As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, it’s humbling to remember we have served North Dakota since before it was a state and have been in business for more than half our country’s history. We’re proud of the grit that has shaped our company and honored to be recognized alongside an incredible group of inspiring North Dakota businesses. We look forward to serving North Dakota entrepreneurs and businesses for generations to come.”

The exhibit is free and open daily through September 13, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harold Schafer Heritage Center in Medora. More information, including a list of honorees, is available at builtongrit.com.