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St. Louis County Planning & Development
Barbara Hayden, Director
227 West First Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 725-5000
Fax: (218) 529-5029
Email: haydenb@co.st-louis.mn.us

As a regional leader, St. Louis County has a vested interest in the tax base and the well being of its citizens.

In cooperation with communities and regional agencies and organizations, the county desires to establish a leadership role that will promote and sustain the region's long-term economic vitality.

St. Louis County influences community and economic development in a variety of ways through county services. These include transportation, solid waste management, social services, public safety, public health, land management, real estate transactions and planning. The county's direct involvement in economic development is typically in conjunction with a local community.

St. Louis County brings to the table a number of resources to further economic development in our region:

-Administers approximately $4.5 million in state and federal housing and community development grants each year

-Provides technical assistance and helps coordinate community projects

-Facilitates the sale of tax forfeited property

-Secures funding and provides county infrastructure improvements

-Secures funding and provides recreational trail development

-Promotes commodity sales on public lands, timber, peat and aggregate

-Provides gap financing for housing and economic development activities

-Administers a tax abatement program

-Sponsors Minnesota Community Capital Fund (MCCF) loans throughout St. Louis County

-Assists Communities in accessing additional state and federal resources

-Assists approved development projects navigate through regulatory requirements

-Provides current and accessible economic development data.