Job creation is critical to healthy communities and an event Thursday aimed to spur more job creation in the area.

The inaugural inclusion summit was held in partnership with the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce at the College of St. Scholastica. It focused on filling critical job areas in our region. The event was designed to help attendees learn ideas to make Duluth and the Twin Ports area more welcoming to all newcomers.

Chamber leaders say diversity, equity, and inclusion is part of their strategic community action plan.

Aubrey Hagen is the DEI and membership director for the Duluth area Chamber of Commerce. She told us the Chamber knows that inclusive economic development is important to help cities thrive.

“So we are really proud of uplifting all kinds of leaders in this community,” Hagen said. “And all of this programming just really goes to show how many people are interested in this work and walking alongside us. It’s a full room in there, and I’m really proud of that.”

Hagen says this is an inaugural summit but that they hope to make it an annual event.