Over $1.08 billion in federal funds are secured for the reconstruction of the Blatnik Bridge. Construction will begin next year, but how will the reconstruction impact small businesses in Duluth and Superior?

The bridge plays a key role in Twin Ports infrastructure. But over the next several years, its reconstruction will shut it down completely. Nick Hickey, the Vice President of Business Development at the Fraser Shipyard, says during the pandemic they never shut down operations. Hickey added that it won’t be any different in the coming years when the Blatnik is out of commission.

“We never shut the yard down, we never said we couldn’t fix a boat. We know transportation is so important to the community, the economy, everyone,” Hickey said. “We’re still going to have the boats in the yard. We’re still going to have winter layup in the yard. So our focus right now is figuring out how to support it to make sure the bridge actually goes to plan. That includes partnering with construction companies, finding ways to use the rubble from the bridge. So I think the future is bright, and we’re just not 100% sure on the path yet, but we’ll get there.”

The future is a little uncertain but bright for the shipping industry, despite the reconstruction of the Blatnik bridge. But how are other business owners going to be impacted? It could be devastating to small businesses that rely on traffic to and from Duluth and Superior. 

Zane Zimbleman, a bar manager at Thirsty Pagan Brewing, says the owners could continue operation as usual with the help of loans from the Small Business Administration.

“We’ve been in this place for six years. We were in the old creamery for over 20 years. Think about what that does for the community,” Zimbleman said. “You don’t want to go past a building that just goes to pot, that just goes downhill. SBA is providing money for individuals and businesses to make certain that these places stay open. And that’s what they’re doing for us.”

With the secured federal funding for the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction, the SBA is handing out loans to businesses that will be impacted for the next five years. Business owners on both sides of the bridge can still apply for multi-year loans to help keep them afloat during reconstruction. Geri Agilpay, the Great Lakes Regional Administrator with the SBA says, some of those loans offer incentives for small business owners to be more environmentally efficient.

“With the new reforms that we have, they can go up to $5.5 million under our green lending initiative. If they’re showing an energy-saving component, energy-sustainability component,” Agilpay said. “Making changes such as energy-saving lights, from insulation to solar panels, or equipment that’s also supporting energy sustainability. That saves costs.”

Agilpay also says business owners in the Twin Ports can contact the Wisconsin District Office or the Minnesota District Office for loans. The amount of loans business can apply for funding can range anywhere from $100 to $5.5 million.