Amazon Distribution Center to Bring Economic Growth to Area

DULUTH, Minn. — Amazon is coming to Duluth– in the form of a distribution center.

County records show the two large parcels of land purchased by Amazon are at Atlas Industrial Park.

That’s where Ikonics’ former building is located and now houses Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, located along Commonwealth Avenue, between Morgan Park and Gary New Duluth.

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Amazon. They believe the distribution center will provide many jobs to the area.

“This of course creates great short-term jobs in construction. That’s gonna help the construction initiative,” said Daniel Fanning, VP of Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. “Also produces those longer-term jobs. And just as importantly it produces a lot of those spinoff jobs in that area. So, as more and more activities happen in that Grand Avenue corridor that’s only gonna spur more economic development, more jobs, and more just good commerce for Duluth and the region.”

Not only will it bring jobs, Fanning says it will provide hope to the region and economy.

“We’re changing the narrative that Duluth is continuing to be a good place to do business, to develop, to do commerce. You know of course we’ve had our challenges the last few years with COVID, like everybody else has but there has been a concerted effort by many community partners from the chamber, the City, the county,” said Fanning. “Many community partners small business, large businesses working together to say ‘we want these kind of developments to happen in Duluth. What can we do to help support that?”

Fanning says the Amazon Distribution Center is part of a larger effort that’s underway to attract more businesses to Duluth and that this is a good sign of progress.