The Klein Family

MANKATO Pioneer Bank

Since spring of 2019, the greater Mankato area has watched the new Pioneer Bank building grow from the ground up at the busy intersection of Victory Drive and Adams Street. “One unique feature of the new building is how we will receive our customers inside the building. While we do have one conventional, stand-up teller window in the lobby and a traditional drive-up lane, our customers will be able to meet their banking needs in a variety of ways while at the bank. Otherwise, several personal bankers will transact business from the comfort of a private desk and seated area.” explains David Krause, CEO. Along with all the other traditional banking services, Kevin Sanger, a Securian financial advisor has relocated his office from our North Mankato branch to the new building and the banks centralized loan documentation center, credit analysts, IT team and several administration positions, including the CEO, are located in the new building.With this addition, Pioneer Bank now has nine locations with 130 employees. Construction began in the spring of 2019, and Krause says the design had the community in mind. “A main feature of the facility is a large meeting room and outdoor deck on the second floor de- signed to host staff training, customer education and community organization events.”

The bank is especially proud to have used local business to get this job done. “We are proud to have Robert W. Carlstrom Co. as our construction manager, ISG as our architect and several other local sub-contractors including Blue Star Power Systems, Kato Roofing, Nielson Blacktopping & Concrete, Guaranteed Electric, St. Peter Glass, Rehnelt Excavating, Mechanical Resources, Kendall Doors and Hardware, M&M Signs, Jerry’s Tile Service, Hendley’s, Multiple Concept Interiors, Greener World Solutions, Southern Minnesota Woodcraft, J&K Masonry, Braun Intertec, WW Com- munications and Security, iSpace, Right-Way Painting, Woodchuck USA, PresenceMaker, and Sign Pro. We are particularly proud to feature Vetter Stone on and in our building.” he says.

Pioneer Bank 1450 Adams Street Phone: (507) 344-4580 Web: bankwithpioneer.com

NICOLLET ROE Defense

Two friends that shared a love of shooting recently opened a business in Nicollet so they could share their passion with others throughout Minnesota. A small veteran-owned business, ROE Defense was started by Robert Frederickson and Zack Haag.

Through ROE Defense, the duo is able to offer a variety of services all centered around one item: a gun. The company offers gun customizations, gun repair, gun restoration, laser engraving as well as long range shooting, AR 15 builds and sales, suppressor sales and machine gun shoots. It’s not all about just the physical product though, ROE Defense also offers conceal carry classes.

“We have online conceal carry classes so we do classes any time, seven days a week. We’ll work with everyone’s schedule. We have a total of eight conceal carry instructors in Minnesota,” says Frederickson.

Another unique offering of ROE is cerakote gun coatings. Cerakote is a ceramic based finish that can be applied to metals, plastics, polymers and wood. The unique formulation used for Cerakote ceramic coating enhances a number of physical performance properties including abrasion/wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, impact strength, and hardness.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in that, as well as engraving firearms,” says Frederickson.

The two business partners believe they have hit on the right niche, and that they have found the right location to grow their business.

“Our biggest and best surprise is the support from our local community,” says Fredersickon. “We picked Nicollet because it is a growing community with two meat lockers and two taxidermy shops in town. Everyone asks us why Nicollet and we always say we love Nicollet and the support we get here,” says Frederickson.

ROE Defense 304 Pine Street Phone: (507) 225-9975 Web: roedefense.com Facebook: ROE Defense

THE VOICE Of MANKATO

Radio ads influence search and retail traffic.

When radio spots come on, they have been proven to drive:

29% lift in search in activity.

(Source: RAB: Radio Drives Search, Sequent Partners, Media Monitors & In4mation Insights, 2017)

29%

22% in store trac.

22% (Source: RAB: Radio Drives Store Trac, TagStation, 2018) Visit RadioMankato.com and learn how to start.

MADISON LAKE LakeShore Potential

Logan Sendle remembers fondly his days of growing up on the lake, although to fully enjoy the lake, there was work to be done.

“In roughly 2008, when I was a young kid wanting to be able to fish and swim off my dock, my dad and I had to use garden rakes to remove algae and weeds. That ‘chore’ has progressed into a business.”

The now 21-year old Sendle partnered with 19-year old Jade Reicks to establish LakeShore Potential.

“LakeShore Potential offers lake weed removal, landscaping, and beach restoration services to lakeshore residents. Our primary service is lake weed removal. We manually cut and harvest the Department of Natural Resource’s permitted 50’ x 50’ area of weeds with a 15’ channel to open water. We created a unique process to remove the weeds chemical-free with same-day results,” explains Sendle.

The duo serves anyone with a lakeshore within 150 miles of Mankato during the months of April to August, traditionally peak lake weed season. They have provided weed removal and landscaping services to homeowners, resort owners, and private ponds.

“We started this business to help people be able to fully enjoy their lakeshore experience along with wanting to help slow the usage of harmful chemicals being dumped into our lakes,” says Sendle.

Removing the weeds is proving to be the easiest part of the job for Sendle and Reicks.

“Our biggest challenge so far has been learning the ropes of the business as a whole, being both young entrepreneurs we have a ton to learn,” says Sendle. “We have had some amazing people help us along the way and as we continue to learn, such as Yvonne Cariveau, Sarah Richards, Todd Wagner, and Greg Pomerantz.”

Sendle says while they are just getting started, the job has already been rewarding not just financially, but in a variety of ways.

“There has been many surprises along the way, but our favorite so far has been a couple of thank you cards we have received,” says Sendle. “For example, one said ‘your work transformed our lakeshore, we were able to utilize our boats and PWC’s with ease and the fishing was amazing.’ We love getting feedback like that!”

LakeShore Potential 28626 West Lake Drive Phone: (507) 384-8005 Web: lakeshorepotential.com Facebook: LakeShore Potential

BANKING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE At your service. On your side.