About Lake-Ads
Lake-Ads helps local businesses keep customers close to home and gives lake associations a reliable way to fund the fight against aquatic invasive species. Healthy lakes support a healthy local economy—and we built the marketplace that connects both.
How it started
Lake-Ads.com was founded by Bob Badger, president of the Granite Lake Watershed Association in Wright County, Minnesota — the first association on the platform. He created it after seeing two gaps at once: associations needed recurring AIS funding that did not depend on grants, and local businesses had no simple way to reach lake communities. When associations join Lake-Ads.com, they join a growing network of Minnesota lake associations that fund AIS work and connect their communities with local businesses. Minnesota is reducing statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid to counties by 50% beginning July 1, 2027. Recurring advertising revenue gives associations a funding stream that is not tied to that program.
The network
The Lake-Ads network is simple: lake associations across the area list themselves in one place so local businesses can find them, advertise where lake people already look, and put those dollars to work against AIS. Instead of chasing associations one by one, a business picks the lakes that matter, supports them from a single checkout, and the associations keep the revenue for lake protection.
Bob Badger
President, Granite Lake Watershed Association
Advertising that stays home—and helps the lake stay healthy.