THUNDER BAY – “Now, more than ever, Duluth needs to create economic growth and private investment. Our local economy has already taken a hit due to the flood, projects like this will assist in the recovery. We are so thankful for the continued partnership with Minnesota DEED,” said Duluth Mayor Don Ness.
Duluth has been awarded two clean up grants totaling over $1 million to leverage $34 million in private investment, create up to 95 jobs, and increase the local tax base by $700,000. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded the City of Duluth and the Duluth Economic Development Authority two clean up grants for a mixed used development in the Duluth East Hillside and the Pier B redevelopment project along the waterfront.
The City of Duluth was awarded $145,350 in clean up funds for a .64-acre site contaminated with petroleum. Previous uses on the site included a gas station, auto repair shop, offices and residential space. The site will be redeveloped into a three-story 12,000-square-foot mixed-use building that will provide space for retail, office and rental housing. The new development will create 10 jobs, retain four jobs, increase the tax base by $22,779 and attract $2.8 million in private investment.
The second grant of $999,000 was awarded to the Duluth Economic Development Authority for clean up of the 5.8 acre Lafarge cement site which is contaminated with metals, benzo(a)pyrene, diesel range organics and concrete dust. The land was originally a marsh until it was filled in during the 1870’s. Previous uses on the site include a paint and oil warehouse, scrap yard, cold storage, rail yard and cement storage/shipping facility. The site will be redeveloped into a mixed use waterfront project totaling nearly 110,000 square feet, including a hotel, restaurant, specialty stops, recreation facilities and condominiums. The new development will create 85 jobs and increase the local tax base by $682,455. Pier B investment group is investing $31.5 million in private investments.