Customer service is how businesses make a good first impression.

But for a city, first impressions are made by clerks.

Albert Lea benefits from being a popular stop for two interstate highways as well as an end point for two U.S. highways. People traveling on these roads get to know our fair city and its denizens by meeting the people who work at hotels, motels, convenience stores, truck stops and restaurants.

Even folks with companies looking to meet with city, county, chamber, economic development, tourism, media and school officials about locating in Freeborn County probably first made a business transaction with a clerk somewhere.

We would like to remind clerks how valuable you are to the region. Thank you for doing a super job.

And we would like to remind local residents to treat all clerks with great respect. They are crucial to the economy of the region. Say thank you to your favorite one today.