1News Topics - Rust Belt Resurgence - Camden Explainer

GRIP event brings Gary, Duluth leaders together to discuss development

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Duluth Mayor Don Ness chat Friday at the Gary and Region Investment Project's third Urban Core Exchange in Gary. The two cities have dealt with similar challenges. Freeman-Wilson and Ness highlighted development initiatives in their communities and compare…

GRIP event brings Gary, Duluth leaders together to discuss development

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, from left, and Duluth Mayor Don Ness listen to U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, at the Gary and Region Investment Project's third Urban Core Exchange in Gary.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Aiming to be 'Superior'

Duluth, Minnesota Mayor Don Ness believes jobs are going to keep his city afloat and lift its population. The city is moving away from heavy industry and shipping to support opportunities in tourism, health care and manufacturing.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Tourism vision bolstering economic fortune of Northeast Minn. city

DULUTH, Minn. | If you can't run from the cold, then at least make it an economic opportunity.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Miners, workers strike gold in thriving iron industry

DULUTH, Minn. | Minerals and metallurgical engineer Don Fosnacht said having an "ungodly vast" array of natural resources is a good situation.

Duluth, Minnesota

The city of Duluth, Minn. has successfully merged industry with recreation and tourism.

RUST BELT RESURGENCE: Aiming to be 'Superior'

DULUTH, Minn. | While people may continue to fall in love with its pretty shoreline, Mayor Don Ness believes jobs are going to keep Duluth afloat and one day lift the city's population.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

View photos of Duluth, Minn. by Times photographer John Luke.

Duluth, Minn.

About 500 miles north of Gary on Lake Superior, Duluth, Minn., is working to transform itself following the loss of its industrial base. Like Gary, it has a population of more than 80,000 and the resources that come with being located along one of the Great Lakes.

1News Topics: Rust Belt Resurgence -- Duluth Video embed

Duluth

1News Topics - Rust Belt Resurgence - Duluth Explainer

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

An ore carrier moves through St. Louis Bay toward the Blatnik Bridge that connects Duluth to Superior, Wisc.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

A new terminal is being built at the Duluth International Airport adjacent to the existing terminal. The project is part of a $65 million effort that is expected to be complete in 2012. Last year was the airport's third busiest in its history as more than 306,000 passengers flew in or out Duluth.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

Pedestrians stand in front of the Fon-du-Luth Casino on Superior Street. Unlike Indiana's riverboat casinos, the Duluth has a land-based gaming facility.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

The city is home to the Huskies, an Northwoods League team that plays at Wade Municipal Stadium. Unlike minor league baseball league the Gary SouthShore RailCats are in, the Northwoods League are made up of collegiate all-star players who aren't paid and still have NCAA eligibility.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

ArcelorMittal's Minorca iron mine in Virginia, Minn. is about an hour north of Duluth. The operation mines iron-laden rock and processes it into taconite pellets for use in the No. 7 blast furnace at the company's Indiana Harbor complex in East Chicago.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

Pedestrians stand in front of the Fon-du-Luth Casino on Superior Street.

Rust Belt Resurgence: Duluth, Minn.

Visitors walk along Canal Park Drive in Duluth, Minn. Residential and commercial development has replaced what was once an industrial area on Duluth's lakefront. The area has become a tourist destination.