Not too long ago, a top port official voiced concern about the prospect of committing additional Duluth land toward tourism development. Prior to his retirement, Davis Helberg, who then was Duluth Seaway Port Authority director, cautioned that removing land from the working waterfront might threaten future industrial development and the related high-paying direct and spinoff jobs.
That came to mind today as CLM Corp. announced a $36 million expansion to its Superior lime plant. Ironically, the tourism proposal involved land very close to Cutler-Magner's Duluth salt processing and storage facilities. Cutler-Magner is CLM's parent company.
CLM officials believe their Superior expansion represents the second-largest industrial investment in the city's history, topped only by the cash infused into Midwest Energy Resources Co.'s coal transshipment terminal. Whether first, second or 100th, it represents a significant expression of confidence in Superior's working waterfront, a significant short-term boost for the local construction industry and a welcome boost for the city's long-term employment scene.
It also indicates Superior is headed in the right direction after many years of concern about economic decline. The city is gaining a well-earned reputation for industrial development at a time when its larger neighbor is struggling to defend massive taxpayer investment into struggling tourism projects such as Great Lakes Aquarium.
Both development scenarios have strong ripple effects. When Gov. Jim Doyle arranges financial or permit assistance for successful private sector projects such as those by CLM, Hallett Dock Co. and Genesis Manufacturing, Superior gains a positive reputation for successful planning and implementation. When Minnesota lawmakers offer heaps of public money for struggling projects such as the aquarium, the city is largely cut from future state bonding bills.
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Superior is doing the right things to foster a good climate for economic development. That's good for the city, its residents and firms that invest here.
