By DANA KAZEL

St. Louis County's three newest Public Works facilities - in Culver and Kugler Townships, and near the Whiteface Reservoir - are now equipped with a 40-kilowatt solar array on each roof.

The solar panels were produced locally by Heliene in Mountain Iron, and made possible thanks to $336,000 in grants ($112,000 for each building) from the Minnesota Department of Commerce's Statewide Solar on Public Buildings Program.

Each solar array is capable of producing 55 megawatts of electric energy annually, which is expected to cover 73% of the facilities' electrical energy usage. This estimation takes into account average snowy and cloudy days at each location. 

Additionally, the non-fossil fuel energy generated equates to a reduction in approximately six metric tons of carbon emissions for each system annually, or 18 metric tons for all three. Over a typical life expectancy of 25 years, that is a reduction of 450 metric tons of carbon emissions.

"Everything about this project is a win," said County Board Chair Mike Jugovich. "We are using domestically produced solar panels installed by local trade labor. And they are generating renewable energy, and reducing utility costs, which will save money for our taxpayers for decades to come."

These three Public Works garages were completed in 2024, and the roofs were designed with the intent to add solar panels once funding was available.

Solar on Public Buildings is designed to provide incentives for installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota local government buildings. The program offers benefits to communities across Minnesota by reducing energy costs and electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the local economy benefits from investments made in expanding energy infrastructure, and from adding clean energy jobs, like solar installations.

With Minnesota currently importing 100% of its fossil fuels, solar power adds “homegrown” renewable sources of energy to the building and the state’s electrical grid.

To learn more about the Solar on Public Buildings Program, visit Solar on Public Buildings / Minnesota Department of Commerce - Energy.

The HowieHanson.com is powered by Lyric Kitchen · Bar

DULUTH — For more than a century, Duluth's economy has been built around moving things: iron ore, coal, grain, lumber, steel. The story of this city has largely been the story of raw materials arriving by rail, being loaded onto ships, and departing through one of the world's great freshwater ports.

But what if the next major economic opportunity arriving in Duluth isn't something you can touch at all? What if it is information?

That question surfaced recently as developers in Minneapolis explored whether portions of the historic Dayton's redevelopment project might someday be converted into a data center. The idea may sound futuristic, but it reflects one of the most significant economic shifts taking place in America today. As artificial intelligence rapidly expands, companies are scrambling to build the digital infrastructure necessary to power it. Data centers, once obscure industrial facilities tucked away on the outskirts of cities, have become some of the most sought-after real estate investments in the world.

The reason is simple. Every ChatGPT request, every streaming movie, every cloud-based business transaction, every medical record and every AI-generated image requires enormous computing power. That computing power lives inside buildings filled with servers, networking equipment, cooling systems and backup power infrastructure. The demand is growing so quickly that utilities, developers and economic development officials across the country are racing to identify locations capable of supporting the next generation of digital infrastructure.

Which raises a question that deserves serious discussion in Duluth. Could the city become a regional hub for data centers? At first glance, the answer might surprise people.

Duluth possesses several characteristics that data-center developers actively seek. The climate is cooler than much of the country, reducing cooling costs that can consume a substantial portion of a facility's operating budget. Industrial land remains available. The city sits at the crossroads of major transportation and communications networks. Fiber-optic connectivity continues to expand. And perhaps most importantly, Duluth has a long history as an energy-intensive industrial community.

The challenge, however, is not land. It is power.

Modern artificial intelligence has changed the economics of data centers. A generation ago, a data center was essentially a large office building filled with computers. Today's AI facilities resemble industrial complexes. Some require as much electricity as small cities. Developers increasingly evaluate potential locations based on one question above all others: How quickly can substantial amounts of power be delivered to the site?

That reality places communities in direct competition with one another. The winners will not necessarily be the biggest cities. They will be the cities capable of delivering reliable power, modern infrastructure and supportive regulatory environments.

Duluth deserves consideration in that conversation. This community understands large-scale industry. It understands infrastructure. It understands how to build and maintain complex facilities that operate around the clock. Those are advantages that cannot be overlooked as the economy continues its transition into a more digital future.

At the same time, nobody should mistake data centers for traditional manufacturing facilities. They are not major job creators after construction is completed. A billion-dollar facility may employ only a few dozen highly skilled workers once operational. The economic benefits are real, but they differ significantly from the thousands of jobs historically associated with mining, paper production or steel manufacturing.

That distinction matters. Economic development leaders must ask whether pursuing data-center investment complements broader efforts to attract housing, technology firms, healthcare expansion and traditional industrial development. The answer may ultimately be yes, but it deserves careful examination.

The more interesting question may be whether Duluth's industrial districts could someday be repurposed for entirely new uses. Throughout its history, the city has repeatedly adapted to changing economic realities. Lumber gave way to ore. Ore gave way to shipping and tourism. Tourism expanded alongside healthcare and education. Each transition required local leaders willing to recognize emerging opportunities before they became obvious.

Artificial intelligence may represent the next transition. No one is suggesting that towering server farms will suddenly appear along the waterfront next year. The economics, infrastructure requirements and power demands remain formidable. Yet it is worth remembering that many of the industries that ultimately transformed Duluth initially seemed improbable.

A century ago, few residents could have imagined giant ore docks dominating the harbor skyline. Decades later, few predicted tourism would become one of the region's economic pillars. Today, many people view artificial intelligence as something that happens elsewhere — in Silicon Valley, Seattle or Northern Virginia.

That may prove to be a mistake. The communities that benefit most from the AI revolution will not simply be the places where software is developed. They will also be the places where the infrastructure that powers the technology is built.

Duluth has spent generations moving the raw materials that fueled America's industrial economy. The question now is whether it can play a role in powering America's digital one. The answer may help define the city's next century.

Howie's daily column is powered by Lyric Kitchen Bar in Downtown Duluth. Contact Howie at HowieHanson@gmail.com

Fifty years ago, Duluth stood at a crossroads. The city's industrial economy, built on shipping, manufacturing, railroads and natural resources, faced mounting challenges. Population growth had stalled. Major employers were disappearing.

Like many Great Lakes cities, Duluth faced difficult questions about its future. The answer would not come from a single mayor, business leader or civic organization. It would emerge through the collective efforts of visionaries who saw possibilities where others saw decline.

This list is not a ranking of the most famous Duluthians, the wealthiest residents or the most powerful elected officials. Instead, it seeks to answer a different question: Who did the most to transform Duluth from a struggling industrial port city into the tourism, healthcare, education, outdoor recreation and business center it has become today?

The individuals on this list built companies, launched institutions, guided public policy, supported philanthropy and helped create the modern identity of Duluth. Together, they helped write one of the most remarkable civic comeback stories in the Upper Midwest.

1. Joel Labovitz

Few individuals have exerted a greater influence on modern Duluth than Labovitz. As a businessman, civic leader and philanthropist, Labovitz helped shape the economic and cultural foundation upon which much of contemporary Duluth was built. His impact extended through retailing, real estate development, higher education, philanthropy and community leadership, touching nearly every aspect of civic life.

The Labovitz family's influence on retailing became legendary through Maurices, which grew from a small women's clothing store founded in downtown Duluth into one of the nation's most successful specialty apparel chains. The company expanded across the United States while maintaining deep roots in Duluth. Maurices demonstrated that a nationally recognized retail brand could be built and managed from northeastern Minnesota, creating jobs and economic opportunity while enhancing the city's reputation as a center of business innovation.

Labovitz also understood that successful communities require strong institutions. His support for education, healthcare, cultural organizations and civic initiatives helped strengthen the city's social infrastructure. Whether through philanthropy, board leadership or community partnerships, he consistently invested in projects that improved the quality of life for future generations.

Perhaps his greatest contribution was helping instill confidence in Duluth itself. At a time when many communities were losing corporate headquarters and struggling to attract investment, Labovitz demonstrated that major enterprises could thrive in the Northland. His legacy remains visible in the businesses, institutions and community organizations that continue to shape Duluth today.

2. George Goldfarb

If Labovitz helped establish Maurices, Goldfarb helped transform it into a national powerhouse. During his decades of leadership, Maurices grew into one of America's largest women's specialty retailers while maintaining its headquarters in Duluth. Few executives have had a greater impact on the city's private-sector economy.

Goldfarb's success came during a period when many corporations were abandoning smaller cities in favor of major metropolitan areas. Under his leadership, Maurices continued to expand nationally while remaining firmly committed to Duluth. The company provided thousands of jobs and became one of the city's most important economic engines.

Beyond Maurices, Goldfarb emerged as one of the most respected voices in the regional business community. He served on corporate boards, advised nonprofit organizations and participated in economic development initiatives that helped shape Duluth's future. His influence often occurred quietly, away from public attention, but his counsel was widely sought by civic and business leaders.

Goldfarb helped prove that Duluth could compete in a modern, knowledge-based economy. His leadership strengthened confidence in the community and reinforced the idea that world-class companies could succeed while remaining headquartered on the shores of Lake Superior.

3. Jeno and Lois Paulucci

Few names are more closely associated with civic generosity than Jeno and Lois Paulucci. Their influence extends across the city through parks, public spaces, charitable giving and countless community improvements that continue benefiting residents decades later.

Jeno Paulucci built one of America's great food-industry success stories, transforming a small business venture into an international enterprise. Rather than distancing himself from his hometown, he chose to invest heavily in Duluth's future. Lois became an equally important partner in that effort, supporting numerous philanthropic and civic initiatives.

Their most visible contribution may be Bayfront Festival Park, which transformed a portion of the waterfront into one of the city's most beloved public gathering spaces. The park hosts concerts, festivals and community celebrations that attract thousands of residents and visitors each year.

The Pauluccis understood that quality of life matters. Their investments helped make Duluth more attractive to families, businesses and visitors alike. Their legacy remains woven into the city's physical landscape and civic identity.

4. Don Ness

Ness inherited a city facing significant challenges and left office having helped redefine its future. During his tenure as mayor, Ness championed a vision of Duluth centered on growth, innovation and opportunity.

One of his most important accomplishments involved addressing longstanding financial challenges, such as the unfunded $300-plus million retiree health care obligation, that threatened the city's stability. Difficult decisions regarding budgets and public spending helped position Duluth for future investment and growth. Those decisions were not always popular, but they provided a stronger foundation for the years ahead.

Ness also became one of Duluth's most effective ambassadors. He promoted the city nationally, encouraged entrepreneurship and worked to attract young professionals. His message was simple: Duluth was not merely surviving; it was becoming a destination for talent, investment and innovation.

Even after leaving office, Ness remains one of the city's most influential civic leaders. His relationships across government, healthcare, business and education continue to shape discussions about Duluth's future.

5. John Fedo

Modern Canal Park begins with Fedo. Long before waterfront redevelopment became commonplace, he recognized the potential of Duluth's shoreline and championed efforts to transform underutilized industrial land into a thriving destination.

The redevelopment initiatives launched during his administration created opportunities for private investment that would eventually reshape the city's economy. Hotels, restaurants, attractions and public spaces followed, creating one of the most successful waterfront districts in the Midwest.

Fedo's vision required persistence. Many residents questioned whether tourism could ever become a major economic driver. Yet he continued advocating for projects that connected residents and visitors with Lake Superior and the harbor.

Today, Canal Park stands as one of the defining features of modern Duluth. Millions of annual visitors experience a waterfront district that owes much of its existence to Fedo's leadership and long-term vision.

6. Andy Borg

Borg helped build more than a successful restaurant company. He helped create a cornerstone of modern Canal Park and Duluth's visitor economy.

As co-founder of Grandma's Restaurants, Borg recognized the growing potential of waterfront tourism and invested accordingly. Grandma's became one of Duluth's most recognized brands, drawing visitors from across the Midwest while helping establish Canal Park as a destination.

The company's success encouraged additional private investment in the district and demonstrated that locally owned businesses could thrive by embracing Duluth's unique identity. Grandma's became synonymous with hospitality, community and the North Shore experience.

Through decades of leadership, Borg helped strengthen the tourism economy that now supports thousands of jobs and generates significant economic activity throughout the region.

7. Scott Keenan

Few individuals have promoted Duluth more effectively than Keenan. Through Grandma's Marathon, he created an event that introduced countless visitors to the city while generating millions of dollars in annual economic activity.

What began as a modest road race evolved into one of North America's premier marathons. Under Keenan's leadership, the event grew in stature and became an annual tradition that draws participants from around the world.

The marathon's impact extends well beyond race weekend. Thousands of runners return to Duluth repeatedly, bringing family members, supporting local businesses and becoming ambassadors for the community.

Keenan's achievement demonstrates how a single idea, pursued with persistence and vision, can reshape a city's reputation and economic future.

8. Monnie and Erv Goldfine

The Goldfine brothers were among the earliest champions of a tourism-based future for Duluth. Through business leadership, civic involvement and community advocacy, they helped position the city for long-term success.

Monnie became one of Duluth's most effective promoters, championing projects ranging from Spirit Mountain to waterfront development. His ability to bring people together around common goals helped advance numerous initiatives that remain important today.

The brothers understood that Duluth's greatest assets were its natural beauty, harbor and unique character. Their efforts helped shift the community's focus toward tourism, hospitality and visitor experiences.

Many attractions and institutions that now define Duluth's visitor economy benefited directly from the Goldfines' leadership, support and vision.

9. Sister Kathleen Hofer

Few individuals have influenced both healthcare and higher education in Duluth as profoundly as Sister Hofer. Her leadership helped guide major institutional changes during critical periods of growth and transformation.

Through her work with St. Mary's Medical Center and later healthcare partnerships, Sister Kathleen helped strengthen one of the sectors that now serves as a cornerstone of the regional economy. Her ability to bridge mission, leadership and organizational change proved invaluable during periods of significant transition.

Her influence also extended to The College of St. Scholastica, where she served in key governance and leadership roles. Her commitment to education helped strengthen one of Duluth's most important institutions and contributed to workforce development throughout the region.

Sister Kathleen's legacy reflects the power of servant leadership. Through faith, vision and collaboration, she helped build institutions that continue serving thousands of residents throughout northeastern Minnesota.

10. Bruce Stender

Stender's contributions to Duluth span education, business, philanthropy and civic leadership. Few individuals have influenced as many sectors of community life over such an extended period.

As the first lay president of The College of St. Scholastica, Stender guided the institution during a period of growth and modernization. His leadership helped strengthen academic programs, expand facilities and elevate the college's profile throughout the region.

Stender later became a leading figure in the business community through Labovitz Enterprises, ALLETE and numerous civic organizations. His leadership helped strengthen relationships between the private sector, higher education and community institutions.

Like many of the individuals on this list, Stender's greatest contributions often occurred behind the scenes. Through thoughtful leadership, strategic vision and a lifelong commitment to community service, he helped shape the modern Duluth that residents know today.

The modern Duluth enjoyed by residents and visitors did not emerge by accident. It was built by people willing to invest their talent, resources and leadership in a city they believed could become more than its industrial past.

Some built businesses. Others guided public policy. Some created events, strengthened institutions or invested philanthropic resources. Together, they transformed Duluth into a city known for tourism, healthcare, higher education, entrepreneurship and quality of life.

History may debate the precise order of these rankings. What is far more difficult to debate is their collective impact. Without these individuals, the story of modern Duluth would be dramatically different.

Howie's daily column is powered by Lyric Kitchen Bar in Downtown Duluth. Contact Howie at HowieHanson@gmail.com

Summer always arrives with energy in Duluth, but this year it feels more like relief. There is a different emotional tone hanging over the city as June begins, and it is not difficult to understand why. People are exhausted. Not dramatic. Not defeated. Just tired from carrying the financial and emotional weight that has steadily built over the past several years.

Gasoline prices are climbing again just as tourism season begins filling highways with traffic headed north. Grocery bills continue hammering working families and retirees alike. Insurance costs continue climbing. Utility bills remain stubbornly high. Property owners already are bracing for another round of difficult conversations involving local government budgets and the growing pressure to hold the line on residential and commercial property taxes.

Small businesses continue facing uncertainty about labor, operating costs and consumer spending habits. Meanwhile, another Duluth mayoral election quietly waits around the corner, bringing with it the early signs of another long political season filled with messaging campaigns, strategic positioning and arguments over the future direction of the city.

But perhaps the greatest pressure is being felt quietly inside homes occupied by seniors and lower-income residents trying to survive on fixed incomes that no longer stretch far enough to cover ordinary life. Many older residents spent decades doing exactly what society asked of them. They worked long careers, raised families, paid taxes, maintained homes and lived responsibly. Now many of those same people sit at kitchen tables trying to figure out how to absorb another property tax increase, another utility bill increase, another prescription cost and another grocery trip where basic necessities suddenly feel almost unaffordable.

Proud people often suffer quietly in Duluth. Many seniors do not complain publicly. They simply adjust. They stop dining out. They delay home repairs. They cut back driving. Some quietly worry about whether they can continue living independently inside the homes they spent decades paying off. Others are delaying retirement entirely because inflation and rising costs have eroded the financial cushion they believed would protect them during their later years.

That emotional fatigue matters because it helps explain why summer feels different here than it does in many American cities. In Duluth, summer is not simply a tourism season. It becomes an emotional reset for residents who have spent eight long months enduring gray skies, brutal cold, icy streets, darkness and the constant grind of ordinary financial stress.

Then June arrives and the city exhales.

Grandma’s Marathon returns. Bayfront Festival Park fills with music and crowds again. Restaurant patios reopen. The Lakewalk comes alive with tourists, runners, bicyclists and families pushing strollers near the lake. Boats begin moving through the harbor again. Children stay outside until nearly 10 p.m. Visitors pour into Canal Park from Minneapolis, Chicago, Iowa, the Dakotas and beyond, reminding local residents that the place they sometimes criticize and worry about still remains one of the most naturally beautiful and unique small cities in America.

That outside perspective matters because people who live inside a city year-round often become conditioned to seeing only the frustrations. Potholes. Property taxes. Construction projects. Political arguments. Parking headaches. Bureaucracy. Public safety concerns. Visitors often see something completely different. They see the hills. The lake. The lift bridge. The ore boats. The rocky shoreline. The sunsets that still stop strangers in their tracks. They see a city with identity and authenticity in an era when much of America increasingly feels interchangeable.

Tourism season also carries enormous economic importance for Duluth itself. Hotels, restaurants, breweries, retailers, attractions and entertainment venues rely heavily on these few critical summer months. Many businesses generate a substantial percentage of their annual revenue between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That revenue supports jobs, stabilizes businesses and helps sustain amenities residents themselves enjoy during the remainder of the year. Summer visitors are not separate from the local economy. In many ways, they help hold large portions of it together.

Certainly, tourism season comes with frustrations. Canal Park traffic can become aggravating. Parking becomes difficult. Downtown crowds occasionally test local patience. But those inconveniences are manageable compared with the economic damage that would follow empty hotel rooms, struggling restaurants and declining visitor activity during a period when economic uncertainty already hangs over much of the country.

The deeper truth is many Duluth residents simply need this summer emotionally. They need packed sidewalks and crowded patios. They need concerts at Bayfront and families along the Lakewalk. They need baseball games, festivals, harbor activity and tourists asking for directions near the lift bridge. They need reminders that life cannot become an endless cycle of bills, politics, inflation, anxiety and survival.

Duluth has always been a resilient city. It has endured mining downturns, manufacturing losses, harsh winters, economic reinventions, political divisions and population concerns. The city has survived because generations of residents learned how to adapt during difficult periods. But resilience alone eventually becomes exhausting. People also need joy, optimism and reminders that daily life still can contain beauty and enjoyment alongside responsibility.

There will be plenty of time for arguments again this fall. Budget debates will intensify. Property-tax discussions will dominate public meetings. The mayoral race will slowly begin consuming local political oxygen. Candidates will promise solutions. Critics will demand accountability. Social media will overflow with certainty and outrage. That cycle is not going away.

But first comes summer.

And after several years of inflation, economic pressure, political fatigue and the relentless grind of modern life, perhaps the healthiest thing Duluth can do right now is simply enjoy itself for a while. Not blindly. Not irresponsibly. Just gratefully. Because for many residents, summer in Duluth is not merely tourism season. It is a relief.

DULUTH — Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a 19-year-old man accused in this week's Canal Park shooting, one of three separate gun-related incidents that have kept Duluth police investigators busy over the past several days and prompted city leaders to reassure residents that the cases do not appear to be connected.

The St. Louis County Attorney's Office has authorized an arrest warrant for Delainey Turnipseed on pending charges of second-degree assault and threats of violence, according to the Duluth Police Department.

Investigators allege Turnipseed was involved in the shooting Monday night after a physical altercation with a 17-year-old male who police said was known to him. The teenager suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital. Police believe Turnipseed fled the area following the shooting.

Turnipseed is described as a Black male, approximately 6 feet tall and 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing all black clothing with a black-and-green hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and reference incident No. 26096359.

The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Monday near the 400 block of Canal Park Drive, one of Duluth's busiest tourism and entertainment districts. Officers from the Duluth Police Department, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, the Duluth Fire Department and Mayo Ambulance responded to reports of a man who had been shot.

The Canal Park investigation follows two other shootings reported Friday. In one incident, two people were injured in a shooting in Duluth's East Hillside neighborhood. In another, a confrontation at a Harbor Highlands party involving masked suspects ended with a 17-year-old suffering injuries after a firearm was discharged. Police have said the three investigations remain active but, based on the evidence gathered so far, do not appear to be connected.

Police Chief Mike Ceynowa has said investigators have viable leads in all three cases while noting a common thread among many of those involved: juveniles or young adults illegally possessing firearms.

Anyone with information about the Canal Park shooting or the other recent shootings is asked to contact the Duluth Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit at 218-730-5050.

By DANA KAZEL

St. Louis County's three newest Public Works facilities - in Culver and Kugler Townships, and near the Whiteface Reservoir - are now equipped with a 40-kilowatt solar array on each roof.

The solar panels were produced locally by Heliene in Mountain Iron, and made possible thanks to $336,000 in grants ($112,000 for each building) from the Minnesota Department of Commerce's Statewide Solar on Public Buildings Program.

Each solar array is capable of producing 55 megawatts of electric energy annually, which is expected to cover 73% of the facilities' electrical energy usage. This estimation takes into account average snowy and cloudy days at each location. 

Additionally, the non-fossil fuel energy generated equates to a reduction in approximately six metric tons of carbon emissions for each system annually, or 18 metric tons for all three. Over a typical life expectancy of 25 years, that is a reduction of 450 metric tons of carbon emissions.

"Everything about this project is a win," said County Board Chair Mike Jugovich. "We are using domestically produced solar panels installed by local trade labor. And they are generating renewable energy, and reducing utility costs, which will save money for our taxpayers for decades to come."

These three Public Works garages were completed in 2024, and the roofs were designed with the intent to add solar panels once funding was available.

Solar on Public Buildings is designed to provide incentives for installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota local government buildings. The program offers benefits to communities across Minnesota by reducing energy costs and electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the local economy benefits from investments made in expanding energy infrastructure, and from adding clean energy jobs, like solar installations.

With Minnesota currently importing 100% of its fossil fuels, solar power adds “homegrown” renewable sources of energy to the building and the state’s electrical grid.

To learn more about the Solar on Public Buildings Program, visit Solar on Public Buildings / Minnesota Department of Commerce - Energy.

Howie's column is powered by Lyric Kitchen · Bar | eMail Howie

They said it would bring jobs, innovation, and a bright digital future.

What rolled in instead were trucks, chain-link fences, and a low mechanical hum that never stops. The machines are here now — hundreds of thousands of servers blinking away inside windowless fortresses on the edge of Minnesota towns that once dreamed of something better.

We’ve seen this movie before. Same script, different salesman.

They call it “the cloud,” as if it floats harmlessly above us. Truth is, it squats on farmland, burns more juice than 50,000 homes, and guzzles water like a drunk at closing time. And somehow, we’re supposed to call it progress.

Developers appear in pressed suits talking about “the digital backbone of America.” City officials beam like they’ve just landed the Twins’ spring training site. The handshake’s barely dry before someone slides an NDA across the table and says, “You didn’t see this.”

We saw it. We’ve been seeing it for decades. Different industry, same hustle.

The cloud, it turns out, is just a warehouse full of heat. And we’re the ones paying the power bill.

They call it a partnership. Sure. The same way a mosquito partners with your arm.

After construction wraps — and the out-of-town contractors head back to wherever they came from — a data center might employ forty, maybe fifty locals if you count the janitor and the guy who fixes the soda machine. But the ribbon-cutting speeches will still brag about “hundreds of jobs created,” because math bends when politics enters the room.

Ask Chaska how that turned out. Three data centers at West Creek brought in about $1.3 million in city property taxes in 2022. Sounds good until you realize the total investment runs in the hundreds of millions. That’s like buying a new F-150 and getting back a $12 rebate.

Even Chaska’s own testimony to lawmakers admits it: a $750 million project might kick out three to six million bucks during construction and maybe $600,000 to $1.4 million a year after that. I’ve seen Girl Scout cookie fundraisers pull better margins.

Meanwhile, those blinking boxes are slurping up enough electricity to brown out the grid if someone sneezes. Utilities are racing to build new natural-gas lines just to feed these beasts. And then there’s the cooling — millions of gallons of clean water turned into warm steam so some social-media ad farm can load a cat video faster in Phoenix.

But hey, it’s “green technology.” Just ask the PR guy with the carbon-neutral PowerPoint.

The worst part isn’t the heat or the hum — it’s the secrecy.

Local councils sign nondisclosure agreements before they can even tell residents what’s being built behind the fence. “Competitive reasons,” they say. Translation: You might not like the deal we’re making on your behalf.

By the time the public catches wind, the zoning’s changed, the subsidies are inked, and the same folks who preach transparency are posing with golden shovels and hard hats. If this is openness, I’d hate to see a cover-up.

Over in Rosemount, the state stood shoulder to shoulder with Meta to announce an $800 million “digital campus.” You’d think a project that size would warrant a few basic facts — maybe how much the city will actually collect each year in taxes. Instead, the press release just promised “millions.” Millions of what? Smiles? Headaches?

That vagueness isn’t an oversight. It’s a strategy. These companies know once real numbers hit daylight, the spell breaks. Nobody likes realizing they’ve traded a decade of tax relief for a windowless cube that doesn’t even buy a cup of coffee at the local diner.

I’ve lived long enough to know a hustle when I see one. And this one’s got the whole choreography down. Promise jobs. Whisper “sustainability.” Hide behind an NDA. Watch the mayor grin for the cameras. Then build your data fortress, lock the doors, and send the profits straight to Silicon Valley.

Cities call it “economic development.” That’s generous. It’s more like a high-tech storage unit we’re paying to keep.

A data center doesn’t sponsor the youth hockey team. It doesn’t grab a burger after the Friday game. It doesn’t walk into City Hall unless something breaks. It just hums — forever — while locals keep footing the tax bill for schools, parks, and potholes.

And when the numbers don’t add up, there’s always a new word for the same old game. Minnesota lawmakers even created a “fee” for big data centers — two to five million bucks a year based on peak power demand. It’s not a tax, mind you. Heaven forbid. Just a “fee.” You can waive a fee. You can negotiate a fee. That’s why they love it.

If these projects were the jackpots we’re told, they wouldn’t need lawyers to rename the taxes.

Let’s be honest: we’re not competing with Iowa. We’re competing with our own gullibility.

Developers dangle a future full of servers and sensors, and we drool like it’s 1956 and U.S. Steel’s hiring again. We can’t resist the old line: “This time, it’s different.”

No, it’s not.

We’ve seen taconite. We’ve seen timber. We’ve seen call centers and ethanol and every shiny thing that came with a consultant’s promise of “jobs, growth, and stability.” The moment the subsidies dry up, they ghost.

And when they do, we’re left with another sealed building and a fading sign that says “NextEra Data Solutions” or “Northern Cloud Campus.” Then we start the next dance with the next suitor.

So here’s a simple suggestion. The next time someone shows up in your council chambers waving an artist’s rendering and saying the word “innovation” every other sentence, ask them four questions:

How many permanent jobs after construction?

What’s the annual property-tax payment, in dollars?

What breaks are you getting, and for how long?

And how much water and power will you drain from my town every year?

If they won’t answer straight, show them the door.

Because here’s the truth the brochures won’t print: these things can hum anywhere. They pick us because we’re polite, cheap, and eager to feel important again. We’ve spent decades trying to replace the factory whistles that used to tell us who we were. The tech guys figured that out and turned it into a business model.

The irony? The “cloud” they sell us is just somebody else’s server rack running on our dime. The electricity comes from our grid. The roads to reach it are our asphalt. The silence afterward — that’s ours too.

What we’re buying isn’t progress. It’s the illusion of relevance.

And when the last server light flickers off — maybe thirty years from now, when the next miracle technology comes along — the suits will move on, leaving us with another empty box and another story about what might’ve been.

The old fellas at the café won’t need a study to understand it. They’ve seen this dance too many times before.

They’ll sip their burnt coffee, shake their heads, and say what they always say when the next “big thing” blows through town:

“Should’ve just built another rink.”

DULUTH — ALLETE Inc. and its acquisition partners have reached an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Commerce that promises immediate cost savings for Minnesota Power customers and expanded benefits for communities, the company announced Thursday.

The settlement agreement comes as ALLETE seeks regulatory approval for its proposed sale to Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). With the deal in place, the Department of Commerce, which represents the public interest in utility matters, has determined the acquisition is “consistent with the public interest” and is recommending approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers, supporting our communities and meeting the policy goals of the State of Minnesota, and we are pleased to have reached an agreement that will deliver enhanced benefits for our customers, our employees and the communities we serve,” said ALLETE Chair, President and CEO Bethany Owen. “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to listening and working collaboratively with our stakeholders, and we’ve appreciated the close collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to address matters raised by the Department and others through this process.”

Owen added, “The strong and growing local support we’ve received reflects a shared understanding that this transaction is the right step forward for Minnesota Power. With increasing clean energy and infrastructure needs now and well into the future, partnering with the two experienced, long-term investors we’ve chosen is crucial to advancing our company’s commitment to building a clean-energy future and achieving the state’s carbon reduction goals, while safeguarding reliable power and keeping customer bills as low as possible.”

The Department of Commerce joins a roster of organizations supporting the transaction, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 31, several other labor unions, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, local Duluth and Hermantown chambers, Energy CENTS Coalition and Head of the Lakes United Way.

“We are pleased with today’s announcement by the Minnesota Department of Commerce in support of the proposed transaction, which further ensures the needs of customers, communities and employees will continue to be at the center of ALLETE’s mission,” said Jonathan Bram, founding partner of Global Infrastructure Partners. “Given our long-term track record of successfully investing in high-performing critical infrastructure, we look forward to partnering with ALLETE’s management team to build a stronger foundation for Minnesota’s energy future.”

“The Minnesota Department of Commerce’s endorsement affirms that our partnership will create lasting value for customers and communities,” said James Bryce, managing director and head of infrastructure at CPP Investments. “By combining our long-term capital and sector expertise with ALLETE’s strong management team, we will help ensure Minnesota Power continues to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity today while advancing its transition to a sustainable, clean energy future.”

According to the settlement agreement, Minnesota Power customers would see a one-year base rate freeze and a reduction in the utility’s authorized Return on Equity from 9.78% to 9.65% following the transaction close, moves intended to deliver direct savings on bills. The pact also includes enforceable service quality and system reliability metrics, guaranteed funding for the company’s five-year capital plan, and the creation of a $50 million investor-funded Clean Firm Technology Fund to advance local energy projects.

ALLETE and its partners also agreed to establish a holding company structure that will help protect customers from risks tied to non-utility business ventures. Under the new arrangement, six members of the 14-seat board of directors will be independent, with several directors from Minnesota and Wisconsin to ensure strong regional influence.

The settlement builds on previously announced commitments by ALLETE, CPP Investments and GIP to retain ALLETE’s workforce and current compensation levels, honor and extend union contracts with IBEW Local 31, maintain ALLETE’s headquarters in Duluth with Bethany Owen continuing as CEO, and keep the existing management team in place. Additionally, CPP Investments and GIP plan to fund up to $3.5 million in residential customer arrearage forgiveness to help eligible low-income households.

Following the transaction close, Minnesota Power will remain locally managed and regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, and transaction costs are not expected to impact customer rates. The proposed acquisition, which has already received approval from ALLETE shareholders, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, is expected to close in 2025, pending MPUC review.

More details are available at www.alleteforward.com.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Playhouse will bring the hit Broadway production "Legally Blonde The Musical" to the NorShor Theatre from July 10-26.

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the popular film, the musical follows Elle Woods, a fashionable sorority student who enrolls at Harvard Law School after a breakup and discovers her own strengths while challenging stereotypes about who she is and what she can achieve.

Stevie Deaun stars as Elle Woods, leading a cast that includes Aaron J. Dumalag as Emmett Forrest, Alex McLemore as Warner Huntington III, Grace Brinkert as Vivienne Kensington, Zoe Koep as Paulette Buonofonte and Sean Ryan Naughton as Professor Callahan.

Directed and choreographed by Ali Morooney with music direction by Amanda Weis, the production features music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach.

Performances are scheduled Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the NorShor Theatre. Audio-described and American Sign Language-interpreted performances also are planned.

Tickets are on sale through the Duluth Playhouse box office and online at DuluthPlayhouse.org.

Founded in 1914, Duluth Playhouse is one of the nation's oldest nonprofit theaters and produces year-round theatrical programming in northeastern Minnesota.

Duluth Playhouse is thrilled to present the Minnesota premiere of Home, I’m Darling, running May 23 - June 1, 2025 at the NorShor Theatre. This razor-sharp, Olivier Award-winning comedy by Laura Wade pulls back the gingham curtains on one couple’s seemingly perfect life. 

The house is immaculate, the martinis are chilled, and Judy’s dress is freshly pressed–just in time to greet Johnny at the door with a smile. Life in their 1950s dream home is sweet, stylish, and carefully curated. There’s just one catch… it’s not actually the 1950s. As Judy and Johnny devote themselves to a lifestyle straight out of a vintage magazine–complete with deviled eggs, mid-century furniture, and picturesque domestic bliss–the cracks begin to show. This delightful yet dark comedy will have audiences laughing while reflecting on the complexities of relationships and the risks of longing for a bygone era in the modern world.

“Home, I’m Darling does a wonderful job of asking its audience to still be engaged in these characters’ lives even after the curtain call—which I find incredibly compelling,” says director Mary Fox. “I believe this show opens up a lifeline—or a portal, a REMINDER if you will—on how to reconnect, what it means to feel human, and how to rediscover love and self-worth. It’s about identity, happiness, and the drastic choices we make to feel whole. How far would you go for happiness?”

Jess Hughes, recently seen on the NorShor stage as Madame in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, will bring sharp comedic timing and emotional depth to the role of Judy. Her husband Johnny is played by Sean Naughton, who also happens to be Hughes’s husband offstage–bringing an added layer of intimacy and complexity to this sharply drawn portrait of a marriage under pressure. They’re joined by an ensemble of Duluth favorites, including Alyson Enderle as Fran, Zachary Stofer as Marcus, Olivia Nelson as Alex, and Julie Ahasay as Sylvia.

Wade’s play brilliantly captures the tension between personal choice and societal expectation, asking audiences to consider what we gain—and what we lose—when we try to live in a world that no longer exists.

-- Press release

Rising country music star Sydney Hansen of Duluth posted the following on her Facebook page today: "To be a part of the 9th Annual Josie Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry this year was absolutely incredible! Although I didn't win, I won big time!! To be a nominee for 'Modern Country Vocalist of the Year' was an honor on its own, being recognized among all of the talented indie artists in my category. A wonderful experience to say the least from the red carpet to being in the pews of the Opry."