Duluth is one of the most intriguing centers of the great lakes, and its history and innovation make it so.

Duluth was originally settled by the Sioux and Chippewa native tribes until it was claimed for France by Daniel Greysolon in 1679. Today, Duluth is a thriving community of nearly 90,000 people (187,000 within a 30-mile radius).

Industries include tourism, healthcare, financial/banking, mining, paper, communications, education and shipping. The city’s harbor welcomes over 1,000 ocean-going and Great Lakes freighters annually. The Seaway Port Authority of Duluth provides foreign trade zone and economic development services and the Interlake cargoes of iron, grain, coal and stone combine to make this the top volume port on the Great Lakes with a total of $250 million in annual economic impact.

Duluth is also a major center for education and healthcare in Minnesota. It is home to the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Minnesota Duluth, Lake Superior Community College, Fond du Lac Community College and across the bay, the University of Wisconsin-Superior. It is a regional medical center for surrounding states and provinces – the physician population of over 400; one of every seven residents is employed in healthcare. It was rated first in the United States for quality healthcare in communities of its size.