superior HAPPENINGS Superior builds on businessenergy

By Maria Lockwood mlockwood@ superiortelegram.com

Atleast adozen businesses joined the Superiorlandscape overthe last year. Each addeda sparktothe city’s dynamic.

“It’s an exciting time Ifeellikethere’s justa different energy in the community,” said Taylor Pedersen, CEO of the SuperiorDouglas County Chamber of Commerce. “You’re turning ablind eye to it if you’re not seeingit, because youcan feel it.”

Whether businessowners arecontemplating amove to theTwinPorts or a move from one side of the bridge to the other,

Superior’s acontender. Both Belknap Street and Tower Avenue havebeenrecently reconstructed;taxes on food and retail goods are lower thaninDuluth

“You do have alot of peoplelooking at this side of the bridge,”saidLindsey Jacobson,executive director of the Superior Business Improvement District.

She said the positive energy has beenbuilding since the launch of the BetterCity Superior initiative, aproposed expositiondistrictwhich was supported by 75 percent of referendum voters in 2016

“Everything’schanging hands and it’sgetting new, refreshedenergy,”Jacobson said

Businesseslike KD’s Restaurant, 7West Taphouse,PotteryBurn and Pak’s GreenCornermade the move to Superior.

Newbusinesses like Twisted Pastries, Empire Coffee, Annie’sAttic and Greenfield Meats andMore chose to make Superior home. Thechangescan be felt throughoutthe city:

► JR Jensenhas anew buildinginSuperior’s East End neighborhood;

► The downtown Empire Blockhas been restored;

► Fastenal is renovating the Erlanson Building;

► Subwayturnedavacant gasstation into arestaurant;

► EarthRider,Thirsty Paganand Bachand Realty haveinvestedinSuperior’s north end;

► P&R Properties apartments have sprung up in Superior’ssouth end and downtown, with another underway near North Second Street.

Businesses like Field &ConnollyInsurance, SuperiorFamily Dentistry andShamrock Pizza have spruceduptheir buildings.

Mainstays like Globe News and Northwest Outlet have weatheredyears of constructionprojects yet continuetoserve Superior

“They’re on the corner of constructionand construction,” Pedersen said.

As more businesses open, refresh or relocate inSuperior and Douglas County, he encouraged them to reachout.

“There are so many resources available to our business community,” Pedersen said. “All you have to do is say ‘Hi.’Imean really, just reach outand say,‘We’re open and this is whatwedo.’”

Onecall can connect businessownerstoa network of help.

“A lotoftimes, that Chamber servesasthe air traffic controllerfor the community,” Pedersen said. “And we know how to connect people to resources or servicestheymight be looking for.”

ENERGY: Page B3