Built on Grit, the first ND Business Hall of Fame designed to honor and celebrate businesses in North Dakota, is now open!
This new exhibit, created by Dakota Business Lending (DBL) in partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, is located inside the Harold Schafer Heritage Center in Medora, welcoming visitors of all ages during a historic time for the region as the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States and the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Built on Grit: ND Business Hall of Fame highlights the ingenuity, grit, and vision of North Dakota businesses, from humble small-town startups to globally recognized companies, while inspiring the next generation of business leaders. Visitors can read stories, learn about North Dakota businesses, and participate in interactive features created for all ages…all free of charge.
“For over 40 years, Dakota Business Lending has had a front-row seat to the resilience, creativity, and determination of North Dakota entrepreneurs,” said Steve Dusek, President & CEO of DBL. “We’ve seen firsthand how a simple idea can grow into a business that strengthens communities and shapes our state and future. “Built on Grit” was created to honor those stories and share them with visitors from across the country, while inspiring the next generation to pursue their own bright ideas.”
Just like Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, Built on Grit exists to honor the stories that define North Dakota and the people who helped build it. The exhibit highlights 17 businesses from across the state whose ideas, partnerships, and perseverance helped make North Dakota the great state that it is, including those rooted in Medora’s own business history.
“Every business begins with a dream,” said Dusek. “We hope visitors get a new or renewed appreciation for those that have followed their dreams right here in North Dakota…and feel inspired to pursue their own.”
The exhibit is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. inside the Harold Schafer Heritage Center in Medora - 335 4th St, Medora, ND 58645. Learn more about Built on Grit or submit a business to be inducted in the future at www.builtongrit.com.
About Built on Grit: ND Business Hall of Fame
Built on Grit: ND Business Hall of Fame is an interactive and educational exhibit created to celebrate the entrepreneurs, industries, and organizations that make North Dakota great. The exhibit, designed by 44-year-old financing company Dakota Business Lending in partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, highlights businesses from across the state that have grown, impacted, and left a lasting legacy throughout North Dakota and beyond. The exhibit is open daily from June 5 – September 13, 2026 and is free for visitors of all ages.