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For additional information, contact Pakou Ly in the City’s Communications Office at (218) 730-5309; or Heidi Timm-Bijold, Business Resources Manager at (218) 730-5310. 

City awarded $664k for commercial redevelopment

Mayor Don Ness with Commissioner Dan McElroy of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), announced today that the City of Duluth was awarded a $664k grant to assist commercial redevelopment of a critical 8.7 acre site along Grand Avenue in West Duluth. The Grant from the DEED Redevelopment program will make significant improvements to the public infrastructure on site, create a highly marketable and shovel-ready site for private investment, and contribute towards job development. 

“The City of Duluth is appreciative of DEED’s confidence and support. This opens the door for the City and J&S Partnership to fulfill a long term vision to redevelop this site for mixed use. This is a great economic development partnership; it builds on our tax base; and helps sustain our community,” said Heidi Timm-Bijold, Business Resources Manager with the City of Duluth.

The Oneota project area has the potential to provide 76,000 square feet of commercial space and is expected to create 60 new jobs, retain 48 jobs, increase the tax base by $120,504, and leverage private investment. J&S Partnership has already attracted two tenants for the site.             

“The DEED grant will expedite our construction of the public infrastructure of this commercial corridor and prepare the site for new tenants. We have two companies poised to invest in the economic growth of Duluth. We are very grateful for this DEED Grant and all of the efforts of Mayor Ness, the City Business and Community Development staff, and the State of Minnesota in making it happen,” said Fred Strom, a managing partner with Ron Johnson of J&S Partnership.

Duluth was among 11 applicants in a competitive process and received the full amount requested. Duluth had the second largest grant amount of the six funded projects. Furthermore, this is the only funded project to be leveraged exclusively by private investment. J&S Partnership owns the land but partnered with the City to obtain the grant.