On February 12 and 13, Northlanders from Duluth and St. Louis County as a whole will meet with lawmakers in St. Paul to advocate for their needs.

Duluth & St. Louis County at the Capitol is an event that’s been happening annually for nearly three decades and gives people from the area the chance to reach out directly to those in state government.

“I think that the most important impact that we see from Duluth and St. Louis County pays at the Capitol is that it’s a unified voice. It’s us going down as a chamber, as a city, as a county, as a regional business community and saying, ‘These projects are really important, not just to these individual businesses, but to our community, to our region, to our local economy.’” Said Daniel Fanning, the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Vice President.

Several organizations will be making the trip, and Fanning says the chamber’s priorities look to benefit the region as a whole.

“A lot of it’s economic impact – whether it’s against the airport, the 148th, it’s so much more than even just Duluth projects. We’re talking about some of the other projects we’re talking about, like the city’s priorities, for example, of little water treatment plant. We need that for not just Duluth, but for the surrounding area as well. These aren’t necessarily wants. These are needs, and they really help foster the economic impact in this region.”

The chamber expects hundreds to visit during the two day affair, which is split into two events. On February 12, a Grand Reception will be held at St. Paul’s InterContinental Riverfront Hotel, where legislators will meet those from the region. On February 13, a legislative breakfast will feature elected officials briefing visitors about current events in state government.