Duluth projects get state money for cleanup

Talk about it

Two Duluth economic development projects received state aid Tuesday to help clean up lingering pollution left behind by past industries.

The city of Duluth received $265,072 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for cleanup at the Atlas Industrial Plant. The former cement plant site is contaminated with high pH levels. Plans call for a 25,000-square-foot expansion of Ikonics’ printing and etching supplies facility at the site and for a 40,000-square-foot building for a future tenant.

The redevelopment should create 69 jobs, retain 21 jobs and increase the tax base by $307,696. Any remaining cleanup costs will be paid for by the city.

Duluth also received a $357,811 grant for cleanup at the Rohlfing beer distributor facility, a 0.6-acre site that once housed gas stations and auto repair facilities. The site is contaminated with petroleum. Plans call for expanding the Rohlfing distribution center with construction of a 12,000-square-foot warehouse. The development will create three jobs, retain 19 jobs and increase the tax base by $26,398, state officials said in a news release. Any remaining cleanup costs will be paid for by Rohlfing.

Tags: news, duluth, business, money, environment, updates