Business Archives - Page 37 of 94

UWS Sees Rise in Enrollment

Currently, enrollment is just over 2,600 students which is consistent with what the college has seen prior to 2020.

September 20, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Enrollment has jumped up at UWS this year. After what was a challenging 2020 for most area colleges, the University of Wisconsin-Superior was down nearly four percent. The college also saw a dip in transfers and international students. This year, however, they have seen a 23 percent increase in the freshmen class something admissions is excited about….

Wedding Shops on the Rebound After Pandemic

September 19, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Wedding businesses are happy to see the industry making a comeback after many months of uncertainty when it came to planning. The Wedding Parlour from Grand Rapids has been in business for 37 years, and has been making a comeback along with the industry after the pandemic. The owner says she’s happy to see business start to pick…

Duluth Workforce Development Makes Moves to Decrease Unemployment Numbers

September 17, 2021

Lauren Akabori,

DULUTH, Minn.- September is Workforce Development Month and is the end of unemployment benefits for many, and Duluth’s Workforce Development team is offering their services to job seekers. In the Twin Ports, 19,000 people were taken out of the labor force since the beginning of the pandemic, and workforce development has recovered nearly 70 percent of those jobs lost. “We’ve…

Essentia Health Holds Hiring Event, Looking for New Wave of Healthcare Workers

September 16, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Essentia Health is looking for the next wave a healthcare workers, and they did so today with a big hiring event at the Miller Hill Mall. In only the first two hours of the event, close to 100 people came by, and dozens left with new jobs. Today’s hiring event was meant to address that employee shortage, but…

Council Bypasses ‘Travel Superior’ For Commission to Handle Future Tourism Tax Distribution

An amendment was also approved stating that anything requiring $25,000 or more of tourism revenue would have to go out for bid to other entities, then approved by council.

September 14, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior City Council decided to shake up the way they allocate tourism tax dollars, voting in favor of establishing a commission put forward by Mayor Jim Paine to handle the city’s tourism revenue, a role currently held by Travel Superior. According to the Mayor, this does not cut out Travel Superior from the equation but opens the…

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson Proposes 2022 Budget with 6% Property Tax Levy Increase

Larson brought her proposed general fund budget of $97.1 million dollars for next year before council.

September 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Mayor Emily Larson brought her proposed general fund budget of $97.1 million for next year before council Monday evening. “I have always believed that budgets are moral documents. Every single Duluthian needs to know that, in some way that is meaningful to them, we are in their corner,” Mayor Larson said. “There is no more important way…

Mayor Paine Proposes 2022 Budget, No Tax Increase for Superior Citizens

September 12, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Superior Mayor Jim Paine is touting his 2022 budget proposal as one that won’t increase taxes or fees. He says it eliminates $3 million in debt, improves areas of public transit, invests nearly a million dollars into public art and community grants, and fully funds the street maintenance program in 2022, and for the next 5 years. “Citizens…

Vue at Bluestone Celebrates ‘Grand Opening’

September 9, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– The Bluestone property has continued to expand, and become a more vibrant and sought-after area to live over the past years. Today, Bluestone, which opened back in late July, held the official grand opening of its most recent luxury apartments called the ‘Vue at Bluestone’ where both residents and contributors came together to officially celebrate this new property….

Fundraisers Still Facing Virtual Moves and Cancellations

September 8, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Lots of organizations have struggled through the past year, as most of their major annual fundraisers have had to move either virtual, or canceled all together. This year, they are still running into some of the same issues but are hoping to round up support online. Some of these fundraisers were all set up and ready to go…

Superior Council Delays Vote on Future Handling of Tourism Tax Revenue

Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members to delegate the money as they see fit as long as it falls within state statutes.

September 7, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- At Tuesday night’s council meeting, Superior Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle how the city spends its tourism tax revenue — a role currently held by Travel Superior — was referred to a special Committee of the Whole Meeting for more discussion. The decision was made after more than an hour of public…

DECC Parking to Double to $10 to Help Offset Maintenance Costs

DECC officials say it will help pay for on-going maintenance needs on the lots and ramps of the parking structure.

September 7, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Tuesday, anyone parking at the DECC will have to pay double, as the rate will increase for the first time in 13 years. Parking at the DECC will now cost $10, up from $5 previously. The rate will also be $10 at Marcus Cinema, though you will still get reimbursed once you buy a movie ticket. DECC…

Fitger’s Complex Shuts Down Sunday Due To Natural Gas Issue

September 6, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — A natural gas issue forced the entire Fitger’s Complex to shut down on Sunday evening, cutting the night short for local businesses inside. That’s according to a Facebook post from the Boat Club Restaurant And Bar. The restaurant said it would reschedule Sunday reservations by calling customers individually. It’s unclear when the building will reopen. Categories: Business,…

Duluth Central Labor Body Celebrates Annual Holiday

The Duluth Central Labor body held their annual picnic cooking hundreds of hot dogs and corn on the cob.

September 6, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Central Labor body held their annual picnic cooking hundreds of hot dogs and corn on the cob. “We normally have a children’s area. But this year due to the fact that twelve and under can’t get vaccinated as a committee we decided to cancel that. But we are happy to be here,” Duluth Central Labor…

Duluth Superior Pride Fest Among Biggest Weekends of Year for Main Club

The Main Club is normally staffed with five bartenders year-round. But Pride, the busiest weekend of the year, requires more.

September 5, 2021

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Duluth Superior Pride Fest weekend isn’t just uplifting for the community, it’s also great for local businesses, like the Main Club. The nightclub in Superior dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community is normally staffed with five bartenders year-round. But Pride, the busiest weekend of the year, requires more — even some from out of town. “For a lot of,…

Coleman Plant in Sauk Rapids Closing, Eliminating 175 Jobs

Coleman, owned by Newell Brands, notified the state that the plant would close by the end of the year.

September 4, 2021

Arman Rahman,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Coleman Co. will close its plant in Sauk Rapids, resulting in 175 people losing their jobs. Coleman, owned by Newell Brands, notified the state that the plant would close by the end of the year. In the filing, Coleman said it is ceasing production at Sauk Rapids and that layoffs will be permanent. Layoffs will be…

‘Travel Superior’ CEO Speaks Out Against Mayor Paine’s Tourism Commission Proposal

September 2, 2021

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The president and CEO of Superior’s visitor’s bureau, known as Travel Superior, is speaking out against Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle 100 percent of the city’s tourism tax revenue. Taylor Pedersen believes the process to potentially do away with Travel Superior has been rushed and he doesn’t believe a six-person commission…

Local Stores Stock up for Holiday Weekend

September 2, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– In preparation for the holiday weekend, some local meat shops are stocking up for people who want to grill out. Superior Meats on Tower Avenue offers a lot of different products, including more than 150 different kinds of brats, prime cuts of beef and burgers. While it won’t be as busy as the Fourth of July, the shop…

Finland Businesses Take Care of Greenwood Fire Crews from Incident Command Post

Firefighters have been coming through the Finland Co-Op for daily essentials like snacks, clothes, and coffee they get for free.

August 30, 2021

Arman Rahman,

FINLAND, Minn.- Other businesses in the small town of Finland have seen more firefighters coming through after the Eastern Area Incident Command Post moved there from Isabella while fighting the Greenwood Fire. The Finland Co-Op a staple of the community since the 1900s, has been there for the firefighters’ daily essentials like snacks, clothes, and coffee they give them free….

Bayfield Orchards Looking Forward to Apple Fest

Apple Fest will be the first weekend of October.

August 29, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — Orchards in Bayfield are already looking forward to Apple Fest for a variety of reasons. Despite losing the majority of their strawberry crops in the spring, Erickson Orchard just outside of Bayfield is banking on a healthy apple crop and a large turnout of people during the festival. “We lost 95-100%. The little bit that I got…

Mayor Paine Looks To Change How Superior’s Tourism Tax Dollars Are Allocated

August 26, 2021

Lauren Akabori,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – After Duluth had its own battle with changing the way tourism tax dollars are allocated for marketing purposes, Superior Mayor Jim Paine is proposing his own changes when it comes to using hotel-motel taxes. Paine is calling for the creation of a tourism commission made up of six members that would handle making all of the decisions…

‘Get Ready’ Notifications Issued For Portion Of Gunflint Trail As Wildfires Grow

August 23, 2021

Dan Hanger,

BWCAW – The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Gunflint fire personnel are alerting people along a northern portion of the Gunflint Trail to “get ready” for potential evacuations because of growing wildfires in the BWCAW. The pre-evacuation alert is for property owners from Seagull Lake to the south end of Loon Lake. Sheriff Pat Eliasen posted on social media Monday…

Knowing Your Neighbors: UpDawg Switching Up the Traditional Hotdog

Owners welcome creativity and unique flavors when customers craft their hotdogs.

August 23, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A new food truck in the Twin Ports is pushing the boundaries of what goes on the hotdog. “Hotdogs are fun. You can just put anything on a hotdog,” said Cory Netland. “We just have a book full of recipes and ideas.” So, what’s UpDawg? It’s the newest food truck in the Twin Ports launched by Netland and…

Feasibility Study Underway For Possible Convention Center In Superior

August 19, 2021

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The city of Superior is looking into whether the city should be home to the area’s next convention center. A feasibility study is underway right now by a company out of the Twin Cities. The city’s planning director, Jason Serck, said the convention center wouldn’t be as big as the DECC in Duluth, but a size that…

Duluth School Superintendent Given More Power Over District Regulations

This comes after the school board voted last night following a recommendation from the Minnesota School Board Association.

August 18, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth School Superintendent John Magas will continue to have executive power over the Duluth School Board during the 2021-2022 school year when it comes to the safety of students related to Covid-19. This comes after the school board voted last night following a recommendation from the Minnesota School Board Association. Magas says, he is looking to maximize…

Council Approves Outsourcing Duluth’s $1.8M Tourism Marketing Contract

Councilors also voted to table a $400K contract offer to Visit Duluth to handle the city's convention sales and visitor center.

August 16, 2021

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – The city council made a historic vote Monday evening to approve a new $1.8 million tourism marketing contract to a firm in Minneapolis – Bellmont Partners and its partner Lawrence & Schiller — instead of Visit Duluth, which has held the job since 1935. Councilor Joel Sipress voted against the contract resolution. Councilor Zack Filipovich abstained because…

Council To Vote Monday On Mayor’s Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing

Monday’s Council meeting will remain virtual, according to Forsman, due to the county's recent spike in COVID cases.

August 15, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At their Monday meeting Duluth City Council is set to discuss Mayor Emily Larson’s plan to put Duluth’s next marketing contract out for bid for the first time since Visit Duluth got the job in 1935, and why the winner went to Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners — not a local firm. Mayor Larson says she believes Bellmont Partners is…

Zeitgeist’s Renegade Theater Company to Require Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID Test to Attend Shows

According to Zeitgeist, all casts and crew and staff are fully vaccinated. Capacity at Renegade Theater shows will also be reduced from 120 seats to 88.

August 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A staple of Duluth’s theater scene prepares its comeback after 18 months dark with a stronger step to curb the spike in COVID cases in the Northland. Vaccines, or a negative COVID test will be required for audience members hoping to catch a Renegade Theater Company show at Zeitgeist’s Teatro Zuccone. The Company announced that in addition to…

Mayor Larson Provides Detailed Response To Critics Of Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing

Larson's full e-mail to council with answers to critics can be found at the bottom of this story.

August 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson addressed city councilors at Thursday night’s agenda meeting — three days after announcing her plan to outsource the city’s 2022 marketing contract and no longer use Visit Duluth. It’s a bold move Larson acknowledges, and one that’s fueled a lot of pushback from the local creative community. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports,…

Critics Grow Louder Over Mayor Larson’s Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing; Councilors Weigh In

August 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city councilors are getting an earful and raising questions — one day after Mayor Emily Larson boldly announced plans to pass up longtime Visit Duluth for the city’s next tourism marketing contract worth nearly $2 million and instead choose Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence & Schiller. Mayor Larson told FOX 21 she stands by…

Bayfield Seeing Successful Summer Tourism Season

Apple Fest will take place the first weekend of October.

August 11, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — Tourism in Bayfield has been up this summer. Hotels are being completely booked and businesses are seeing peak Apple Fest numbers. The weekly foot traffic throughout the summer has been due to events being back in session like the Point to LaPointe swim and weekly concerts by the lake held every Tuesday. This most recent concert was…

One-On-One: Mayor Larson Explains Choosing Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For Tourism Marketing

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

August 11, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022 — pending council’s approval — as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is handed out every year. Larson made the big announcement Tuesday by saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based…

Larson Chooses Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For City’s Main Marketing Contract

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

August 10, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022, as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is used every year. Mayor Larson made the announcement Tuesday saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence &…

Twin Ports Transplant Kick Starts ‘Too Good Bakery’

The Pop-Up Bakery can be Spotted at a Number of Events in Superior on a Weekly Basis

August 10, 2021

Brett Scott,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – They’re a dime a dozen these days – bakeries. However, it’s what each owner does to make their sweet treats special that sets that bar high, and customers coming back for more. “I bake with love and I’m backed by love,” exclaimed Liberty Smith, owner of Too Good Bakery. It’s a secret ingredient that can be hard…

Bayfield Orchards Looking Forward to Apple Fest

Over at Erickson Orchards they are currently finishing up their new processing facility which will help streamline their cider business.

August 9, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — Orchards in Bayfield are already looking forward to Apple Fest for a variety of reasons. Despite losing the majority of their strawberry crops in the spring, Erickson Orchards just outside of Bayfield is banking on a healthy apple crop and a large turnout of people during the festival. “We lost 95-100%. The little bit that I got…

Billings Park Days Kicks Off With Rummage Sales

August 6, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The annual Billings Park Days kicked off on Friday in Superior with dozens of rummage sales. People in Billings took the time today to find hidden treasures, while sellers got the chance to declutter their homes and garages. We caught up with one Superior resident who specialized in selling record players and board games. He says, this…

Peach Sale Fundraiser for Encounter Youth Center

August 5, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– A fundraiser selling peaches is happening over the next few days, and is helping raise money for the Encounter Youth Center. Over 500 cases of peaches were ordered and set up across two stands in Duluth including at the Kenwood Arby’s parking lot to help fund-raise for the center. The skate park director says they sell them for…

Ground Is Broken At Riverwest Development Site

August 5, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — Ground was broken Wednesday on the Riverwest development in West Duluth across from Spirit Mountain. The work to get the permits for this project began in 2015 with the idea to have retail stores along Grand Avenue. The city of Duluth would also like to also eventually see development of multi-family and single-family housing on a portion…

Duluth Fire Department Begins Training at Esmond Building

Normally, Duluth fire crews would do this type of training at the Lake Superior College Emergency Response Training Center out in Gary-New Duluth.

August 5, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

DULUTH, Minn. — The abandoned Esmond building in Lincoln Park has now become the newest training grounds for the Duluth Fire Department. Formerly the Seaway Hotel, the vacant building is set to be torn down in one month. Until then the department will be using the structure for hands-on training in a realistic environment. Firefighters say, the 80 rooms on…

Entertainment Venues and Tourist Locations Requiring Masks

August 5, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Event venues and tourist destinations around the city of Duluth are adjusting their mask protocol along with county recommendations, but that is not preventing business from going on. Indoor mask requirements are slowly being introduced in various businesses around the city, and the Zeitgeist Arts Café, which hosts a variety of performances and events, is following along. “The…

Iron Ore Trade Up in July on Great Lakes

Iron ore shipments are 5.2 percent above their 5-year average for the first seven months of the year.

August 5, 2021

Reece Lindquist,

CLEVELAND, OH – Great Lakes iron ore trade was up 61.8% in July. Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.7 million tons in July, an increase of 61.8 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments were also 3.2 percent above the month’s 5-year average. Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 26.4 million tons, an increase of 27.6 percent compared to…

St. Luke’s Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Policy For All Workers

August 4, 2021

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s announced late Wednesday that all of its employees, vendors, volunteers and board members will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine completed by Oct. 1. The only exception to the rule involves employees who can’t take the shot for medical or religious reasons. Those individuals need to file an exemption by Sept. 1 and also…

Frost River Trading Now Offering Rentals

August 4, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– Frost River Trading has officially announced the opening of their new rental center out of their storefront in Lincoln Park today. The rental center offers some of frost rivers best back packs, bags and tents to take out on day trips or even longer adventures. Staff is excited to allow people the opportunity to try out some of…

Local Restaurants Encourage Mask Recommendations to Customers

August 3, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– With the mask recommendation in effect, local restaurants also encourage face coverings when indoors. This adds another challenge to the way businesses are operating this summer aside from staffing shortages and altered hours of operation due to the shortages. But the President of the Duluth Local Restaurant Association feels like our restaurants are up to the challenge. “People…

Businesses Respond to Mask Recommendations

August 3, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– County health officials are recommending masks to be worn inside, despite vaccination status, due to a spike in the number of cases throughout Saint Louis County. “We’re just recommending, like the county is recommending, and my staff same thing, their choice at this point, and hopefully it wont get any worse than that, but you know its mainly…

New Gourmet Hot Dog Food Truck Debuts Tuesday In Duluth

August 2, 2021

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — A brand new food truck called UpDawg is debuting in Duluth on Tuesday, specializing in gourmet hot dogs. The food truck has been a year-and-a-half in the making, facing a few bumps in the road during the pandemic. For co-founders Cory Netland and David Fitch, their brand is all about having fun and figuring out what creative…

Triathlon Part of Summer Comeback for Island Lake Inn

Staff at the small business say they appreciate the crowds the triathlon brings in.

August 1, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Many triathletes were hungry after putting in the work at the Brewhouse Triathlon Sunday, and packed the nearby Island Lake Inn bar to refuel. Staff at the small business say they appreciate the crowds the triathlon brings in. And this year the event is just part of a summer comeback for their customers, after last year’s season of…

Hillside Makers Market Grand Opening

July 30, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– On E 9th Street, the Hillside Makers Market set up for its grand opening, bringing local craftspeople together to showcase their products. The HMM is a pop-up market that is providing a place for local makers and artisans to display their creations in a more accessible location in East Hillside. Two local women spearheaded the event, and feel…

All Pints North Featuring Over 100 Breweries

July 29, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– More than one hundred breweries from around the state of Minnesota will be set up at Bayfront Festival Park on Saturday as All Pints North returns to Duluth. Featuring different craft brews, local store vendors, food trucks and live music, the return of this event has been highly anticipated as the state of 10 thousand lakes brings some…

Sidewalk Sales in the District Begin

July 29, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Sidewalk Sales in the District is back in Superior, and various stores are featuring discounted prices on some of Superior’s best downtown products. 14 different stores are participating, and offering discounts up to 50% off. Northwest Outlet located on the corner of Belknap Street and Banks Ave is one of those stores and offers a variety of…

Goodwill Holds Hiring Event to find New Employees

July 28, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– At Goodwill you could be making 11 to 15 dollars an hour as stores are looking to fill open positions. Today on Garfield Ave, Goodwill hosted a hiring event with on the spot interviews and competitive wages for both full and part time positions. Goodwill is an industry that allows equal employment opportunities for people who have disabilities…