Stauber Highlights Eighth District Business at House Small Business Showcase

May 19, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) participated in the House Small Business Committee’s 3 rd Annual Small Business Showcase, held in the United States Capitol. At the invitation of Congressman Stauber, Bemidji Woolen Mills, an innovative small business from Minnesota’s 8 th Congressional District, was featured. Bemidji Woolen Mills is a retail store and clothing manufacturer in Bemidji, Minnesota. This iconic company was started by Ira Preston Betchelder in 1920 and is now headed up by his great grandson, Bill Batchelder. Over the century this company has been in business, it has become an iconic staple not only in the Bemidji community, but globally. During the 2012 election campaign, Bemidji Woolen Mills vests were named as TIME Magazine’s No. 15 Most Memorable Item, as presidential candidate Rick Santorum purchased 6,500 vests for his team. Other notables who have been seen wearing sweaters, vests or jackets that came from this business are South African President Nelson Mandela, comedian Billy Crystal, and actor John Goodman. Congressman Stauber stated, “Bemidji Woolen Mills embodies the resilience, craftsmanship, and community spirit that define America’s small businesses. It was an honor to invite them to the Small Business Showcase to celebrate their success and highlight exactly who the House Small Business Committee is fighting for here in Washington, D.C. As a former small business owner, I understand firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face every day, which is why I am proud to have delivered meaningful victories for Main Street businesses through the passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. I will continue fighting to ensure small businesses like Bemidji Woolen Mills have the opportunity to grow, create jobs, and strengthen communities across our country.” Image Of his visit, Bill Batchelder stated, “The employees of Bemidji Woolen Mills and the Batchelder family were humbled, blessed, and thankful to be part of the Small Business Showcase in Washington D.C. For 106 years, we have been afforded the opportunity by our great State of Minnesota to operate a family-owned small business in historic downtown Bemidji, Minnesota. “Looking to the future, we are concerned with the barriers to entry for future entrepreneurs: rules, regulations, taxes, zoning, etc. We need to look no further than northern Minnesota to see the incredible family businesses that have been created and have added so much to their communities and our state. Small town America is where entrepreneurs can thrive the best. How many individuals’ dreams will come to fruition in basements, garages and backyards? Let's make it happen for today's generation. “We measure success not by how much money you have at the end of the day, but by the positive impact you have in your community. Our wish is to mentor those in our community that have never experienced generational wealth and to make it happen, one person at a time. There are very few places in the world, like the United States of America, that still supports the American Dream and the entrepreneurial spirit. God bless America.”