Business is Booming in Duluth

As more places have been reopening with the rise in vaccinations, tourism has increased and the job market is improving.

The unemployment rate in Minnesota is now holding steady at 4%, with employment growth outpacing the national average. Duluth had one of the strongest employment growth rates in the state at 8.9%.

Sales tax has gone up as well, increasing by 24% since last year. As travel increases nationwide, Duluth seems to be a popular destination.

Louis Hanson, the co-owner of OMC Smokehouse, Duluth Grill, and Corktown Deli, has seen an increase in customers since vaccinations became more widespread and the mask mandate was lifted for those vaccinated. He believes that part of the increase is attributed to people being able to travel more.

"Duluth has a lot to offer,” Hanson said. “It stays a little bit cooler than the rest of the states during the hotter months, and we have a beautiful lake and trails. Biking, hiking, and the North Shore."