Shawn Mason
Communications Director
shawn.mason@border.bank
218-283-5800
 

The United States Small Business Administration designated May 1-7, 2022, as National Small Business Week. Border Bank would like to salute and celebrate all small businesses, especially those who are located within the communities Border Bank serves.

Collectively, small businesses are the economic engine of the United States and are drivers for innovation and competitiveness. Our small businesses are also valuable partners to the large businesses in our communities, like major manufacturers and distributors, which are significantly important pieces to a community’s economic development landscape and are often the conduit to small business creation.

The business communities Border Bank serves have a special place in my heart for a few reasons. Prior to joining Border Bank, I worked 20 years for the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, which provided me the opportunity to work closely with small business owners who collectively employed hundreds of people, contributed thousands of dollars in property taxes and made countless donations to non-profit organizations, events, and causes. I also served as a city elected official for the primary purpose of ensuring our government was pro-business and did everything in their power to foster an environment conducive to business development. Last, but not least, I married into a family who has owned and operated a clothing store since the 1950’s. That business continues to operate successfully today. 

People who own small businesses are some of the hardest working people I know. They have the world on their shoulders; and they must “eat, sleep and drink” their businesses virtually every day. I have the utmost respect for this incredible group of people. 

Border Bank, (which is also a small business), is proud to serve and partner with hundreds of other small businesses throughout Northern Minnesota, and the areas around Fargo, Moorhead, and Coon Rapids. We express our sincere appreciation to our small business owners for investing in their communities through creating jobs, innovating, and exemplifying community development. Happy Small Business Week!