News

Essentia Health-Cloquet Clinic and urgent care ribbon cutting

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Essentia Health will open its new clinic and urgent care in Cloquet with a ribbon-cutting and open house starting at 4:30 p.m. Mon., May 23. The event will feature several leaders from Essentia, including East Market chief operating officer, Brad Beard, as well as the Cloquet Chamber of Commerce. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Matt Baumgartner on settling into his new role as President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce:

Thursday, May 19, 2022

"Busy first couple months, but it's been exhilarating. Duluth has challenges right now, which to me are opportunities. If we can address those challenges and meet the opportunities, I think there's no place better positioned for future success than Duluth. You can't recreate the economic drivers we have here. We just need to prioritize a couple things. I think we'll see a great era ahead for Duluth. My first few months have been filled with asking a lot of questions, filled with a lot of meetings and seeking solutions. I’m spending a lot of time thinking about economic development and busines...

Essentia to incorporate health science curriculum into area schools

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

DULUTH — Essentia Health announced Monday it has partnered with two organizations to incorporate health science curriculum into 25 high schools across Essentia's service range. While the list of participating schools is not yet finalized, the partnership will allow for Essentia to work with schools to create Minnesota HOSA–Future Health Professionals student chapter organizations and health care career exploration opportunities. HOSA offers student competitions, conferences and introductions to health care professionals. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

In Duluth, preschool moves from the classroom to the forest

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Duluth is at the forefront of a national trend to move preschool from the classroom to the outdoors. A dozen nature based play schools have opened in the Duluth area in the past decade. There's even a new major at the University of Minnesota Duluth in Childhood Nature Studies, the first program of its kind nationwide. To view full article, visit MPR News

32 High school students receive scholarships from Lake Country Power

Monday, May 16, 2022

Lake Country Power is pleased to announce 32 local high school seniors from 27 different schools have been awarded the Lake Country Power 2022 Les Beach Memorial Scholarship. The Les Beach Memorial Scholarship honors a former co-op employee and recognizes student commitment and contribution to local communities. The $4,000 scholarships, issued at $1,000 per year for four years, will help the following graduating seniors pursue their college plans and career dreams. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Community growth program to stimulate entrepreneurship in Duluth

Thursday, May 12, 2022

The Community Growth Program and Toolkit (CGPT) is coming to Duluth to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking and action. The program is spearheaded by Heartland Forward and its partners, Builders + Backers, the office of Mayor Emily Larson, Northland Foundation and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. “My goal for Duluth is to be the entrepreneurial engine of the state of Minnesota and I'm thrilled that we’re the first Minnesota city to partner with Heartland Forward and Builders + Backers to bring their national Idea Accelerator to our community,” said Duluth Mayor Emily Larson in an official statement. “Together we’ll help bring new peopl...

Cruise ships coming to Duluth this summer

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Cruise ships are coming to Duluth this summer, including Viking’s new expedition ship Octantis. The first ship is expected May 30. The Twin Ports has not seen cruise ships since 2013. The announcement Tuesday was part of the International Cruise the Great Lakes organization annual meeting in Duluth May 10-11, which brings representatives from cruise lines, port authorities, state and local governments, and tourism bureaus from across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Great Lakes region is seen by some, including Conde Naste Traveler magazine, as one of the top cruising destinations in the world. Lake Superior has not been included in the recent itinerarie...

St. Luke's plans two-story addition to Building A

Thursday, May 12, 2022

DULUTH — St. Luke's announced Wednesday its proposed plans to add a two-story expansion on top of its Building A. The addition would have 56 single-patient rooms and house the intensive care unit and cardiac care unit. In addition, the health care system plans to rebuild the hospital parking ramp on East First Street to add 177 spaces and an additional floor. Because the expansion of the ICU and cardiac unit will add more inpatient rooms, the existing inpatient hospital rooms will be remodeled from double rooms to single-patient private rooms. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

U.S. Bank, community groups reach agreement over MUFG Union Bank acquisition

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) on Monday announced a $100 billion community-benefits plan agreement with activists key to winning regulatory approval for its planned $8 billion acquisition of MUFG Union Bank. American Banker has a report on the accord, dubbed the largest of its kind by Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank and community groups. To view full article, visit Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Essentia's Cloquet clinic opens to patients next week

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

CLOQUET — Essentia debuted its Cloquet clinic and urgent care facility to the public with an open house Monday night. The clinic at 1413 Minnesota Highway 33 S. will open to patients Monday, May 16. The clinic’s services include primary family medicine; obstetrics; imaging and radiology; telehealth access; urgent care; and a laboratory. The lab can do urinalysis, pregnancy testing, mononucleosis testing and a COVID/RSV/influenza/step test. Any other tests will be taken to the Duluth lab through a courier that will run four times a day. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

maurices honors educators, healthcare workers, first responders and military members across hometowns

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Leading women’s fashion retailer, maurices is dedicating the month of May to hometown heroes through a month-long campaign on maurices.com and in maurices’ nearly 900 stores. As a heartfelt thanks to educators, healthcare workers, first responders and military members, maurices is offering an extra 10% off all purchases, stackable with other offers, in stores and online, throughout the month of May. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

St. Luke's seeks input on next phase of campus redevelopment

Tuesday, May 03, 2022

St. Luke’s is inviting the public to learn more about the next phase of its Duluth campus redevelopment. On Wednesday, May 11 at 6 pm, St. Luke’s will host a campus redevelopment community forum. At the event, St. Luke’s leaders will share plans for Phase II of its Health Forward Initiative campus redevelopment plan and then facilitate a discussion about the plans. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Essentia Health-Cloquet clinic and urgent care to open in May

Friday, April 29, 2022

Essentia Health announced the opening of its new Cloquet clinic and urgent care on May 16 -- another milestone in its commitment to provide the highest quality healthcare close to home for the communities it serves. “We know that there is an unmet need in the community and we know this can help fill that gap,” said Trina Lower, operations director for Essentia. “We see many patients traveling from the Cloquet area to receive high-quality care at our facilities in Duluth and Moose Lake. By opening this clinic, we are eliminating barriers and making a healthy difference in people’s lives.” To view full article...

'We're in a race': Inside the drive to build a soundstage in Duluth

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

A group of Duluth stakeholders are convening around a vision for a soundstage and film production campus. The next step: securing a location, and the funds to build it. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

With help from new CEO, Maurices works to expand store footprint, products and brand awareness

Monday, April 25, 2022

DULUTH - David Kornberg spent 15 years as a top executive at Express, the trendy mall retailer that appeals to fashionable 20-somethings. When he was later approached to become CEO of Duluth-based Maurices, Kornberg first decided to visit one of the company's stores, which, with their bright lighting and decor, are quite different from the gloss of Express. To view full article, visit Star Tribune

Co-op community connects in Cohasset for Lake Country Power Annual Meeting

Thursday, April 21, 2022

More than 300 co-op members and guests gathered at Lake Country Power’s service center in Cohasset for the annual membership meeting on April 20. The audience learned about the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic on material costs, supply chain issues, historic inflation and the impacts all of it has on providing safe and reliable electric service. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Wells Fargo Debuts Small Business Financial-Assistance Portal

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Wells Fargo on Tuesday (April 19) announced the launch of what it is calling its “Small Business Resource Navigator.” The service, according to the San Francisco bank, will let small business owners complete brief questionnaires online and then connect with appropriate community development financial institutions, or CDFIs. “As the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic persist, small businesses continue to need our help,” Derek Ellington, head of small business at Wells Fargo, said in a prepared statement. “We see a lot of value in supporting a resource like this to help small businesses connect to as many options as possible.” To view full article...

Essentia starts nursing residency program

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

DULUTH — Essentia Health announced this week its new residency program for nurses has debuted in Duluth, Brainerd and Fargo. The residency program consists of two cohorts of about 40 nurses each who recently graduated and have less than a year of nursing experience. The program includes one four-hour session each month for 12 months to build skills in specific departments. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

St. Luke’s Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center earns 2 national awards

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

St. Luke’s Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center has been recognized with a President’s Circle award and named a Center of Distinction by Healogics. St. Luke’s Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center earned the awards by hitting high quality benchmarks. Exceptional clinical outcomes were achieved for 12 consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate of 97% and a wound healing rate of 85%. The prestigious President’s Circle award is only given to a Center of Distinction with outstanding performance. St. Luke’s was one of only 25 centers nationally to earn the honor. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Essentia Health Holds Flag Raising Ceremony to Honor Organ Donors as Part of National Donate Life Month

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday, Essentia Health held a ceremony to honor organ donors as April is recognized as National Donate Life month. Essentia raised a flag to honor those who gave others a second chance at life in the Northland with organ, tissue and eye donations. To view full article, visit Fox 21 Online

Northland Foundation awards grants

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Northland Foundation awards 7 Maada’ookiing grants to Indigenous individuals for community projects Diversity of creative, grassroots work approved for $17,000 in funding by Maada’ookiing Board Members From shared geography of Northeast Minnesota and all or parts of five Tribal nations – The Northland Foundation is pleased to announce the individuals and projects awarded Maada’ookiing grants. The Maada’ookiing board met in March to review and approve awards. Maada'ookiing (“the distribution” in Ojibwe) is a Northland Foundation program to strengthen relationships with Indigenous community, build partnerships with Native nations, and offer support for community members to expand capacity in northeastern Minnesota...

St. Luke’s Pharmacy Wins Clinical Excellence Award

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Luke’s Pharmacy has won an award for clinical excellence with the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. The award is given to clinical partners of the the U of M who express innovation and excellence within their pharmacy and go beyond what is expected to support learners. To view full article, visit Fox 21 Online

Corps of Engineers schedules three days of hearings on NorthMet project

Monday, April 18, 2022

Beginning on May 3, the US Army Corps of Engineers will host three days of hybrid in-person and virtual public hearings to discuss potential downstream impacts – specifically on the Fond du Lac Reservation, more than 110 river miles downstream - from the proposed NorthMet Project. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has already awarded the plan a 401 Water Quality Certification after concluding it will have no downstream impacts. This certification helped inform the Corps of Engineers’ decision to award a 404 Wetlands Permit for the copper-nickel, precious metals project, PolyMet said. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth For more information on ho...

Cirrus Aircraft Opens Sales Office in France

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

At a time when numerous companies are going remote, Cirrus Aircraft is going overseas. Last week, the Duluth-based aircraft company announced that it opened its first ever sales office outside the U.S. in France. The French sales office officially launched March 31. Cirrus Aircraft has seen growing demand worldwide, but especially in France, said spokeswoman Nadia Haidar. The company landed on France in particular due to its “extensive aviation culture,” she said. To view full article, visit Twin Cities Business Magazine

North Shore Bank Mortgage lenders named Minnesota Housing Top Producing Loan officers

Friday, April 08, 2022

U.S. Bank starts two-day Minneapolis hackathon to find, boost young tech talent

Friday, April 08, 2022

On Thursday morning, 50 students at the Minneapolis Community & Technical College kicked off a hackathon to design an application that would help students be successful in managing their money. The two-day event is sponsored by U.S. Bancorp and serves as a way for the bank to tap into a pipeline of young and diverse talent as it currently has 800 open technology jobs. (28% of the hackathon participants are women while 50% are minorities). To view full article, visit MinneInno Business Journal

NBC awarded Community Catalyst Award

Wednesday, April 06, 2022

The National Bank of Commerce (NBC) was awarded the Entrepreneur Fund’s Community Catalyst Award at the Regional Economic Indicators Forum on April 5. The award recognizes NBC’s outstanding commitment to the region’s small business community and leadership during the pandemic. National Bank of Commerce has been a leader in the business community throughout the pandemic, the Entrepreneur Fund said in announcing the award. During March 2020 when there was significant confusion around PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) NBC bstepped forwarded by making a strong commitment to working alongside our region’s small businesses by getting them access to PPP and Covid-19 relief with or withou...

DEED Announces Recipients of Targeted Community Capital Project Grants

Thursday, March 31, 2022

St. Paul – Today the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced recipients of the Targeted Community Capital Project (TCCP) grants. In recognition of the statewide impact of COVID-19, natural disasters, and the civil unrest that occurred in the last two years, the 2021 Minnesota legislature authorized $18 million for DEED to administer this competitive grant program, providing much-needed funding for complex and costly capital projects. Capital projects utilizing these funds must result in providing, increasing, and/or expanding access to economic development, education, or workforce development programs or services to underserved communities or economically disadvantaged persons or groups. “We kno...

Study finds UMD contributed $581 million to region's economy in 2019, 2020

Thursday, March 31, 2022

DULUTH — The University of Minnesota Duluth contributed nearly $582 million to the Northland's economy in 2019 and 2020, according to a new study by the Labovitz School's Bureau of Business and Economic Research. The report compiled school operation data from UMD's finance department, information about student impact from One Stop Student Services, and visitor information from a Wilder Research study. Monica Haynes, director of the BBER, said the study found that the impact on Northeastern Minnesota and Douglas County, Wisconsin, had slightly increased compared to 2015 data, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Two LHB projects recognized in national engineering competition

Friday, March 25, 2022

LHB earned a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement in the American Council of Engineering Companies’ 55th annual Engineering Excellence Awards for the Superior Street Reconstruction Project in downtown Duluth. The eleven-block corridor encompassing one of the city's oldest streets has been completely rebuilt, including replacement of utilities that dated back to the 1880s. The project also converted the city’s 1932 steam-heat system to a more efficient hot water distribution network, and replaced brick with decorative, durable concrete elements that allow flexible spaces for businesses and events. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Essentia, Rock Ridge Schools enter $400k partnership to promote health care careers

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

DULUTH — The Rock Ridge School District board has approved a $400,000 partnership with Essentia Health to provide scholarships and health care career guidance to fill areas of high need at Essentia, the health care system announced Wednesday in a news release. The Education to Employment program will designate $300,000 for scholarships to Rock Ridge students. Tuition disbursements of up to $30,000 will be awarded annually for up to 10 years to students who attend post-secondary education for certain high-need roles. Currently, Essentia has a high need for technicians specializing in radiology, ultrasound, medical lab, echo, surgical and pharmacy, plus certifie...

Kraus-Anderson wraps up $34M school project

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson has completed a $34 million elementary school in Eveleth, one of a handful of big construction projects stemming from the consolidation of three Iron Range school districts. To view full article, visit Finance & Commerce

Duluth joins Great Lakes cruise ship coalition pledge to implement environmentally friendly cruising practices

Wednesday, March 09, 2022

On Monday the Duluth Seaway Port Authority joined other members of the international Cruise the Great Lakes coalition in announcing a pledge to implement 19 environmentally friendly and sustainable cruising practices starting with the upcoming 2022 cruising season. As an intimate alternative to the larger ocean-going cruise lines, the Great Lakes cruise ship industry hopes to strengthen their environmentally conscious cruising practices with a focus on 4 key areas. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Essentia's surgery center at Miller Hill Mall on track to open this summer

Tuesday, March 08, 2022

DULUTH — Essentia Health's 41,000-square-foot outpatient surgery center in the Miller Hill Mall is nearing the end stages of its construction. The Essentia Health Surgery Center-Miller Hill is anticipated to open in July. The surgery center will open with four 600-square-foot operating rooms, with the capacity for up to 12 operating rooms to be used in the future. The facility will also have 20 private rooms for patients to use before their operations, and four 23-hour rooms for patients who need to stay a while longer after their surgery. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Just Sold: Work to start on Old Central High apartments

Friday, March 04, 2022

Workers from Kraus-Anderson in Minneapolis are about to start the school's $30 million transformation into 122 apartments, anchored by a community coworking space. To view full article, visit Finance & Commerce

North Shore Bank announces teen video contest "Lights, Camera, Save!"

Wednesday, March 02, 2022

North Shore Bank is accepting submissions for its "Lights, Camera, Save!" video contest. The contest, organized by the American Bankers Association Foundation, is a national competition that encourages teens to use video to communicate the value of sound money management and set their peers on a sound financial path. "Lights, Camera, Save! gives area students an opportunity to harness their creativity and learn about using money wisely," said Ken Johnson, President/CEO at North Shore Bank. "A strong financial education is critical to a successful future and we are thrilled to participate in a contest that reinforces that message.” To view full article...

Essentia encloses new Duluth tower

Monday, February 28, 2022

DULUTH — The new Essentia Health hospital tower and clinic are now fully enclosed, the health care system announced in a news release Monday morning. The Vision Northland construction project is sealed off from outside elements and crews are progressing on casework, flooring, painting and other indoor projects in the temperature-controlled interior. Exterior work also remains. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

University of Minnesota Duluth biology professor awarded $10,000 for equity efforts

Thursday, February 24, 2022

DULUTH — A University of Minnesota Duluth biology professor, Allen Mensinger, was awarded $10,000 to further his equity efforts for higher education STEM students. Mensinger will take two diverse students to the marine biology lab in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, for three months in the summer. The $10,000 will be used for student housing in Massachusetts as they continue their marine biology research. The Justice, Equity and Inclusion Award is awarded to University of Minnesota faculty members who exhibit leadership and service to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in their field of study. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

United Aviate Academy buys Cirrus fleet for pilot training

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

United Aviate Academy in Goodyear, Arizona, has purchased a fleet of 25 Cirrus TRAC SR20 aircraft for its pilot training program, Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft announced Friday. The luxury interior of the high-performance airplanes has been replaced with all-weather floor liners and water-resistant seats. According to Cirrus, the plane's cabin is larger than a typical training aircraft, which makes for a spacious training workspace. Seats in the rear allow for additional students or observers to view training. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Essentia Health to boost ICU capacity at new Duluth hospital

Monday, February 21, 2022

DULUTH — Essentia Health announced Friday its intention to include additional intensive care capacity in the new St. Mary's Medical Center now under construction downtown. The 17th floor of the structure had not yet been dedicated to a specific use, but will now house hospital rooms that are ICU-ready at a time when the pandemic has stretched the Northland's care capacity. "We anticipate the health care needs of Northlanders to increase in the future, and we want to be ready for that demand," Dr. Robert Erickson, Essentia's physician lead for the Vision Northland project, said in a written statement. "With that i...

Public assistance, building lease to help Cirrus grow production in Duluth

Thursday, February 17, 2022

DULUTH — The Duluth Economic Development Authority called a special meeting at noon Wednesday to enable Cirrus Aircraft to proceed with its expansion plans immediately. Members of the authority were unified in their support of a proposal to lease an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility formerly occupied by AAR Corp. to Cirrus for up to 16 months at a cost equivalent to the building's holding costs, including property taxes. At the end of that term, Cirrus will have the opportunity to purchase the facility outright for $1. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Rising health needs drive U's new effort to draw Native students to medical school

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Medical student Fred Blaisdell has a few months to go before anyone calls him doctor, but the Oneida Nation tribal member’s already learned one lesson around the importance of Native physicians serving Native patients. During a recent psychiatry rotation at a Minneapolis clinic, he introduced himself to a patient who lit up when she heard him speak Ojibwe. “After that, the patient really opened up and started to talk about a lot more things that she hadn't really engaged with us before,” recalled Blaisdell, 27, who’s from the Detroit area but chose the University of Minnesota’s medical school in Duluth for it...

St. Louis County backs Cirrus expansion

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

DULUTH — The St. Louis County Board approved $600,000 in taxes Cirrus Aircraft won’t have to pay as it expands its campus, including a move into the vacant airport building that formerly housed AAR and Northwest Airlines maintenance facilities. “As we stand here today, we expect our intention is to triple the size of our business over the next 10 years,” Cirrus executive Bill King told the board. “It’s going to take a lot of real estate to do it.” To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Ronald McDonald House Northland to celebrate first anniversary

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest (RMHC-UM) will celebrate the first anniversary of the Ronald McDonald House Northland on Thursday. Built in partnership with Duluth-based Essentia Health and the Essentia Health Foundation, the five-bedroom facility offers a home-away-from-home and a caring community of support to families with seriously ill and injured children. To view full article, visit Duluth Times

How important is a Twin Metals mine to supply critical minerals?

Friday, February 04, 2022

On one hand the fight over the proposed Twin Metals mine outside Ely, Minn., is a classic “Not in My Back Yard” fight. Opponents condemn the severe environmental risks posed to the federally protected Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness; supporters tout the hundreds of high-paying jobs the mine would create, and billions of dollars in investment it would bring to the region. But more recently, backers of the proposed project have pushed a more global argument — that the minerals the mine would extract are essential to confront climate change. "The World Bank has said we're going to need as much coppe...

Fortune names Most Admired Companies of 2022; Ecolab, U.S. Bank and UnitedHealth lead categories

Thursday, February 03, 2022

Target Corp. and 3M Co. are tops among Minnesota companies on Fortune magazine's 2022 ranking of the world's most admired companies. But other big Minnesota businesses score even higher in their respective fields. The list, compiled by Fortune in partnership with consulting firm Korn Ferry, scores the largest U.S. companies (along with some non-U.S. companies from Fortune's Global 500) by reputation. Criteria include measurements on long-term investment value, social involvement and the companies' ability to attract talent. Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) was tops in superregional banks. To view full article, visit Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

Enbridge signs letter of intent for Line 5 segment relocation project

Wednesday, February 02, 2022

Enbridge, Inc., North America’s largest energy infrastructure company, has signed a letter of intent with Michels Pipeline, Inc. as the mainline contractor for the Line 5 Segment Relocation Project in Wisconsin. Michels Pipeline, Inc., headquartered in Brownsville, Wis., is part of the Michels family of companies. Combined, Michels is an international energy and infrastructure contractor with more than 60 years of pipeline construction experience. The project is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Ashland, Bayfield and Iron counties, as well as the state of Wisconsin. According to an economic impact study from Capital Policy Analytics, the project will support 70...

APEX board of directors announces 2022 executive committee

Monday, January 31, 2022

The APEX board of directors elected its 2022 executive committee members at its annual meeting Jan. 27. APEX 2022 Executive Committee Officers and At-Large Members To view full list of elected Officers, visit BusinessNorth

APEX looks at impact of health and wellness on economic development

Monday, January 31, 2022

The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted its annual board of directors and investor-member meeting and reception on Jan. 27 at Pier B Resort in Duluth and virtually via Zoom. At the event, APEX welcomed virtual keynote speaker Andrea Walsh, president and CEO of HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed nonprofit healthcare organization in the nation. Walsh shared insights on the importance of business partnerships in improving health and wellbeing, highlighting the Itasca Project: First 1,000 Days as an example of a successful, meaningful business/community partnership. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Cirrus Aircraft launches Duluth expansion plan

Monday, January 24, 2022

DULUTH — Cirrus Aircraft aims to grow its operations, and the company is looking to the city and St. Louis County for a bit of help, in the form of a $1.2 million tax abatement package. Both the city and county will be asked to forgo $600,000 in tax revenues over the next 10 years as Cirrus seeks to ramp up production, with the goal of tripling its output within the same decade, according to a county document. The growth is expected to result in the creation of at least 80 additional jobs, bringing the company’s local workforce to more than 1,286...

A push to spur rural relocation

Friday, January 21, 2022

APEX’s Brian Hanson, along with Investor-Members Itasca Economic Development Corporation and several community partners are quoted in BusinessNorth’s continued reporting on our regional workforce shortage and what industry leaders are doing to find and retain crucial staffing during the pandemic. This article focuses on relocating remote workers to rural areas, including Itasca County, and what’s being done to draw and retain those workers to those areas. ----- Northeastern Minnesota’s small town life, community unity, available jobs and recreational opportunities are key advantages for those looking to relocate, said Brian Hanson, president and CEO of the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX...

maurices names country music superstar Lauren Alaina as celebrity brand ambassador

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

maurices has named rising country music superstar Lauren Alaina as its first ever celebrity brand ambassador for a year-long partnership. Throughout 2022, the partnership will include dozens of opportunities inclusive of Alaina’s upcoming ‘Top of the World’ tour presented by maurices, a “Hometown Heroes” program, including a CMA Fest sweepstakes prize packages and a maurices t-shirt design collaboration. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

St. Scholastica introduces tuition-matching scholarship

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

DULUTH — The College of St. Scholastica has launched a $27,000 "Saints Match" scholarship to first-year or transfer students that were admitted to St. Scholastica and any of the University of Minnesota campuses. Beginning in fall 2022, the scholarship will match the average cost of attendance for students accepted for admission at any University of Minnesota school including Duluth, Crookston, Twin Cities, Morris or Rochester. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Addressing the workforce shortage

Friday, January 14, 2022

APEX’s Brian Hanson and Ian Vincent, along with Investor-Members The Entrepreneur Fund and Lake Superior College, are quoted in BusinessNorth’s January edition on our regional workforce shortage and what industry leaders are doing to find and retain crucial staffing during the pandemic. Keeping talent in the Northland is key, said Hanson, noting that primary and secondary schools in the region are addressing this issue through a variety of programs. Low and no-barrier training programs are also ways the community and companies can help keep people in our area, said Ian Vincent, senior business developer at APEX and president of th...

Local View: Acid rock drainage a nonissue with Twin Metals mine

Friday, January 14, 2022

From the column: "Furthermore, Twin Metals has a host of innovations that set the project apart as a model operation, such as the environmentally friendly dry stack tailings method, carbon sequestration, an electric fleet, and a goal to become net zero." To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

New helipad to greatly reduce patient-transport times in emergency situations

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Now that structural steel placement is complete and Essentia Health’s replacement hospital for St. Mary’s Medical Center is taking shape, design plans are set in motion for the new helipad atop the building. The new helipad will improve patient care, especially in emergent situations during which time is crucial. Efficiencies will include swifter transport of patients to the emergency department, where physicians can begin treatment. Currently, care teams must navigate a circuitous route to bring patients to the ED. To view full article, visit Duluth Times

University of Minnesota Duluth nature preschool set to reopen

Friday, January 07, 2022

The Preschool in the Park program is set to open its doors again Monday. The preschool services 3-5 years old and is licensed for 15 students. After closing its doors in March 2020, the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Preschool in the Park is again accepting applications for students. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

Grant money available for main street revitalization

Thursday, January 06, 2022

Northland Foundation is seeking input from Northeastern Minnesota communities that are interested in being part of a Main Street Revitalization Program. Northland could serve as the fiscal agent on behalf of area communities to tap into a second round of statewide funds being made available for projects in the region. If awarded a grant from the state, Northland Foundation could offer grants or guaranteed loans to area communities to cover a significant portion of the project costs. To learn more about this opportunity and view the full article, visit BusinessNorth

St. Luke’s earns national safe sleep re-certification

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

St. Luke's has earned silver level recognition from the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification was created by Cribs for Kids, the only national infant safe sleep organization. St. Luke’s was the first healthcare organization in the state to earn this honor in 2017. To view full article, visit BusinessNorth

Obernel, CMTA announce merger

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

CMTA of Louisville, Kye., has merged with its sister company, Duluth-based Obernel Engineering. The combined firm benefits each company by increasing their geographic reach, ability to provide high-performance and energy-efficient solutions to their clients, and a new depth of engineering services, they said in a Monday news release. Operating as CMTA, the firm focuses on zero energy building design, carbon neutrality, scalable renewable design and delivering environmental, social, governance) solutions to the Midwest market. The two companies joined Therma Holdings LLC, a Blackstone portfolio company, in the second quarter of 2021. They said CMTA and Obernel have similar visions, values, services...

Increasingly, businesses support employee volunteer efforts

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Duluth-based ALLETE, Inc. weaves volunteering and community engagement into the workplace culture at all its companies, including Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power. Among its many community-minded programs, the “Positively Powerful” team grant, funded by the Minnesota Power Foundation, gives employees the opportunity to volunteer at organizations they choose and bring along four or more of their colleagues. The foundation then provides a $500 grant to the organization. At least 500 employees have participated in Positively Powerful since it began in 2016, volunteering hours to all kinds of endeavors, from creating Second Harvest backpacks of nutritious food fo...

The RINK pitch competition awards local entrepreneurs

Monday, December 27, 2021

Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) announced today that Patti Stoddard, creator of the Doggy Bunk Bed, has won The RINK Pitch Competition. The RINK was held on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth. The RINK Pitch Competition, created by IEDC’s Launch MN group, Innovate 218, is a catalyst connecting start-up funders, innovators, entrepreneurs and creative talent to help showcase ideas and bring business ideas from concept into reality. Five regional entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to a panel of judges for an opportunity to share their business idea with regional experts and win a cash prize to help bring their product o...

APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Cohasset Welcomes Engineered Wood Products Manufacturer, J.M. Huber Corporation APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board and Investor-Member meeting on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the Inn on Lake Superior and virtually via Zoom. After the September 2021 meeting minutes and financials were approved, Lisa Bodine, APEX Chair and Giant Voices President, introduced keynote speaker Tamara Lowney, President of Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). Tamara shared an update on the J.M. Huber Corporation’s (Huber) expansion into Minnesota, the company’s largest capital investment to date. Huber Engineered Woods (HEW) will be opening a manufacturing plant in Cohasset which will produce a high-quality engineere...

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency stands by PolyMet air permit

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Exactly three years after Minnesota regulators first granted an air permit to PolyMet's proposed copper-nickel mine, the agency again stuck by that decision and insisted any potential mine expansion would not be possible without the company going through the permitting process again. “As we have steadfastly maintained, the facts and science prove the project will meet air quality standards. That has never been in doubt,” said Jon Cherry, chairman, president and CEO. “This important permit moves us one big step closer to constructing NorthMet, a project that will provide numerous economic benefits to northeast Minnesota along with a U.S.-based supply o...

NORTH SHORE BANK HONORED FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Thursday, December 16, 2021

The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) has recognized 88 Minnesota banks for their community involvement. Banks play a vital role in their communities and to honor and recognize their involvement, the MBA created the Community Champion recognition program. North Shore Bank is one of 88 “Community Champions” that partnered with organizations in their communities to provide funding, volunteers, materials, supplies, or food for their neighbors. Recipients of the recognition range in size from small community banks to larger banks with multiple branches. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

PPL, Wells Fargo unveil detailed plans for Nicollet Ave. bank branch, affordable housing project

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Minneapolis-based Project for Pride in Living and Wells Fargo has pitched a bank branch, 110 units of affordable housing and 8,300 square feet of commercial space for the property at 3030 Nicollet Ave. in Minneapolis. Developers released detailed plans for the first building in a two-phase project on the former site of a Wells Fargo bank branch, which was damaged during civil unrest and riots following the murder of George Floyd. To view full article, visit Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal

Spotlight On: Dr. Patricia Rogers, President, Lake Superior College

Friday, December 10, 2021

December 2021 — In an interview with Invest:, Patricia Rogers, president of Lake Superior College, talked about the changes the college has made throughout the pandemic to adjust to the lifestyles of students and to prepare them for the workforce by collaborating with various industries in the area. To view full article, visit Capital Analytics Associates

North Shore Bank honored for community involvement

Thursday, December 09, 2021

The Minnesota Bankers Association (MBA) has recognized 88 Minnesota banks for their community involvement. North Shore Bank is one of 88 “Community Champions” that worked with hundreds of organizations in their communities, providing funding, volunteers, materials, supplies or food for neighbors. Recipients of the recognition range in size from small community banks to larger banks with multiple branches. “Our bank strives to give back to our community in meaningful ways, and community involvement is one of the ways that we give back,” said Ken Johnson, North Shore Bank president and CEO. “Our employees are proud to be a part of thi...

UMD finalizes sale of KUMD to WDSE-WRPT

Thursday, December 02, 2021

The Duluth Superior Area Educational Television Corporation, a public media organization known as WDSE•WRPT based in Duluth, and the University of Minnesota Duluth have finalized their agreement for WDSE•WRPT to purchase UMD's radio station, KUMD 103.3 FM. As of Dec. 1, the station will be known as “The North 103.3 FM." The station’s call letters will become WDSE, while the frequency will remain 103.3 FM. There will be no immediate changes to the station’s programming and format, the station said in an official statement today, and current staff will remain in place. Opportunities for UMD students to be involved at the statio...

U.S. Bank to Donate Lake Street Land for Community Project

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

The drive to rebuild Lake Street to better serve the Minneapolis neighborhood took another step forward on Tuesday. U.S. Bank announced it will donate its branch property at 2800 E. Lake St. to Seward Redesign, a nonprofit community development corporation (CDC). To view full article, visit Twin Cities Business Magazine

Cirrus may expand into aircraft maintenance base

Monday, November 22, 2021

Cirrus Aircraft, Duluth’s largest manufacturer, continues to grow, and it’s running out of room. But the mostly-vacant former Northwest Airlines maintenance base in Duluth could provide the airplane maker with some temporary breathing room as it looks for a longer-term solution. In recent years, the facility had been used by AAR Corp. to service commercial aircraft, but that business closed up shop in May 2020 as the pandemic threw airlines around the world into a tailspin. To view full article, visit Duluth News Tribune

APEX Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board & Investor-Member Meeting virtually on May 6, 2021. Steve Licari, CPA with Licari, Larsen & Company, shared the results of APEX’s 2020 financial audit. The audit went well, due in large part to solid accounting practices, reasonable checks and balances, and oversight from Brian Hanson and the Finance Committee. APEX has hosted several roundtable discussions this year, bringing regional leaders together to discuss and develop solutions for key challenges in specific areas. Ian Vincent, Senior Business Developer, and Matt Shermoen, Business Developer, shared updates on three recent discussions. Childcare - APEX continues to help with childcare attractio...

Diversifying the Healthcare Workforce

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Access to quality healthcare is essential in every size community. Careers in healthcare are stable and offer ample opportunity for both the young professional and for continued career growth. However, retaining and offering proper training for this diverse workforce is a complicated situation in the APEX Region. In April 2021, APEX convened 30 regional healthcare leaders, economic developers, educational leaders and educators to begin collaborating on solutions for building a stronger healthcare sector. Key solutions include: Education – Collaboration and synergy between community/technical schools, colleges and universities and their respective accrediting bodies to develop better pathways with “stackable” and transferable credentials, resultin...

Strengthening Our Transportation and Logistics Sector

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

The APEX Region is fortunate to have a wealth of transportation-focused infrastructure. There are four Class 1 rail lines, three airports (two are international), an international shipping port, numerous trucking companies, an intermodal terminal, and multiple heavy industrial sites. APEX’s efforts to strengthen this sector include the following categories and key areas of focus: Air – Targeting opportunities for regional airports to expand in air cargo and increasing military presence in Duluth and the Range Regional Airport in Hibbing. Air Cargo Expanded Military Presence Airport Master Planning Land Assembly/Preparedness – Compiling and preparing available sites surrounding major transportation infrastructure. Major Industrial Sites City Master Planning US EDA Programs E-Commerce &...

March Board & Investor-Member Meeting Highlights

Friday, April 23, 2021

Dr. Jim Bowyer, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota and author of The Irresponsible Pursuit of Paradise APEX hosted its bi-monthly Board & Investor-Member Meeting virtually on March 11, 2021, and welcomed guest speaker Dr. Jim Bowyer, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota and author of The Irresponsible Pursuit of Paradise. Dr. Bowyer greeted investor-members with a question: Do any of the products you’ve used in the past two weeks have their origins outside of mining, drilling, forestry or fishing? The answer was a resounding "no." Most things we use on a daily basis can be attributed to the natura...

Celebrating the Long-Lasting Impact of Dr. Pat Johns, Outgoing Lake Superior College President

Monday, July 15, 2019

Economic development is all about people, and it truly begins with education. In northeast Minnesota, we are fortunate to be home to several of the state’s finest higher education institutions. The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) has been proud to partner with Dr. Pat Johns, recently retired president of Lake Superior College (LSC), on many levels over the years, creating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in the type of jobs that lend strength to our economy. Dr. Johns led an impressive career in academia and always recognized the important role that higher education plays in the overall wellnes...

APEX Welcomes Bailey Plemel as Operations Specialist

Monday, July 15, 2019

Duluth, MN: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) is pleased to welcome Bailey Plemel to the team as Operations Specialist. Plemel brings a strong background in customer service, having worked in insurance, regional retail, hospitality, news/media and restaurant industries. “Bailey’s energy and passion for the region make her a great fit for APEX; we’re pleased to welcome her to the team,” said Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “Her diverse experience, organizational skills and drive to learn will help her provide excellent service to APEX and our investor-members.” The APEX Operations Specialist serves as the first point of contact for client...

APEX Annual Meeting Keynote Featured Cleveland Cliffs’ President and CEO

Thursday, March 21, 2019

On January 15, APEX hosted the organization’s Annual Meeting at the Kitchi Gammi Club. The crux of the meeting centered around the important connection between industry and the Duluth economy. APEX was pleased to welcome Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. (Cliffs) as the featured guest speaker. Goncalves shared insights and opportunities for clean steel manufacturing and how Minnesota plays an important role in this effort, both nationally and globally. Left to Right: Brian Hanson with APEX, Brian Maki with Lakehead Constructors, Inc., Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. and Brian Thun with maurices Cliffs has lon...

APEX Annual Meeting Focuses on the Connection Between Industry and the Economy

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Duluth, Minnesota: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted their annual Board of Directors and member-investor meeting and reception on January 15, 2019 at the Kitchi Gammi Club. APEX was pleased to welcome Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. (Cliffs) as the featured guest speaker. Goncalves shared insights and opportunities for clean steel manufacturing in Minnesota and discussed Cliffs’ leadership role in addressing climate change issues. Cliffs has long been a global leader in iron ore pellet production, specializing in using ferrous scrap to create high-grade customized pellets that can be fed directly into blast furnaces. Thi...

APEX Insider Event Celebrates RSM’s 100 Years of Service

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Duluth, MN: Yesterday, RSM celebrated 100 years of serving the region with tax, audit and consulting services at the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion’s (APEX) Insider Event at their newly-renovated RSM office in Downtown Duluth on September 26, 2018. “RSM’s long history of service has been critical to the success of many regional businesses. The RSM team helps drive investment every day by sharing their deep understanding of the accounting nuances facing mid-market businesses in the region,” explained Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “The APEX Insider Event celebrated RSM’s investment in the the Duluth office, and highlights 100 years o...

Future Forest Stewards Invites High School Juniors and Seniors to North Star Expo

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Grand Rapids, MN: Future Forest Stewards (FFS) is pleased invite high school juniors and seniors to learn more about careers in Minnesota’s forestry industry at the Minnesota Timber Producers Association’s 65th annual North Star Expo. The expo will be held on September 14-15, 2018, at the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The expo will provide students first-hand opportunities to learn about the importance of the forestry industry in Minnesota and the wide variety of jobs that make Minnesota a strong timber and timber products producer. The industry includes career opportunities in logging, trucking, foresters, millwork, mechanics, research, manufacturing, forest products an...

APEX Hires New Operations Specialist

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

Duluth, MN: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) is pleased to welcome Janet Windus to the team in the newly created position of Operations Specialist. Windus comes to APEX with a wealth of experience in accounting and payroll services, customer service, and administrative functions. She joined the APEX team on April 11, 2018. “We’re so pleased to have Janet as part of our team,” said Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “Her 18+ years of professional office experience and organizational skills will help streamline our operations. She is already a great addition to APEX.” As Operations Specialist, Windus is responsible fo...

APEX Annual Meeting Focuses on the Connection Between Water and Industry

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Duluth, Minnesota: On January 25, 2018, the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted their annual Board of Directors and investor-member meeting and reception at the Kitchi Gammi Club. The meeting featured guest speaker LaMarr Barnes, CEO of U.S. Water Services, Inc. (U.S. Water) speaking about the interconnection of water and industry in our region and the importance of understanding and managing water in a sustainable way. Barnes shared valuable insight into the changing hydrological cycle, explaining the intricacies of the water/energy nexus throughout industries. Generating electrical power, agriculture, public water and industry are the largest water-using sectors in our econom...

APEX Annual Meeting Focuses on the Connection Between Water and Industry

Sunday, April 15, 2018

APEX Investor Members Support ISD 709 Construction Technology Program

Friday, December 15, 2017

Duluth, Minnesota: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) and several APEX investor-members are pleased to support ISD 709’s Construction Technology program. The Boldt Company, APi Group, Inc., United Piping, Inc., The Jamar Company and Northland Constructors donated much-needed cold weather work gear and safety equipment to the Construction Technology program. “When the district reached out to APEX, we were more than happy to get involved,” said Sandy Johnson, Manager, Member Relations and Administration at APEX. “Many APEX investor-members seized the opportunity to support the next generation of trades workers.” This fall, students in the Construction Technology program have been working i...

APEX Debuts 360-Degree Virtual Reality Tour

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Duluth, MN: The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) is pleased to announce the availability of a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) tour that provides prospective business partners and site selection consultants a full-immersion experience of the APEX region from anywhere in the world. The Place VR tour, created by Golden Shovel Agency, highlights existing industry and infrastructure and showcases the region’s high quality of life. “It’s one thing to see images or video of our region. It’s quite another to be fully immersed in the Place VR tour,” said Brian Hanson, APEX President and CEO. “This innovative approach showcases many element...

Enbridge Line 3 Replacement Project to Support 8,600 Jobs in Northeast Minnesota: New Economic Impact Study from UMD's BBER

Monday, June 12, 2017

Duluth, MN: The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics recently released the results of the Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline Replacement Construction Economic Impact Study (EIS). The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) requested this study be conducted to help stakeholders better understand the significant contribution this project will provide. The BBER concluded that the project will create approximately 8,600 jobs and will represent an investment of over $2.0 billion in the 15-county study area in the northern portion of the State of Minnesota. “APEX supports the Enbridge Lin...

APEX Annual Meeting Highlights Economic Optimism for Region

Friday, April 07, 2017

Duluth, MN: On January 26, 2017, the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) hosted their annual Board of Directors and investor-member meeting and reception at the Kitchi Gammi Club. Nearly 100 regional, public and private sector leaders were in attendance for the event and to hear guest speaker John R. Elmore, Vice Chair of Community Banking and Branch Delivery at U.S. Bank. Elmore shared his insight into recent economic shifts. Elmore expressed optimism for economic development in the region of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Equity markets and the treasury yield curve are trending upwards. Overall wages have been on th...

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