Duluth, MN
Established in 1997
Achievements by the Numbers:
(By LISC and Affiliates since inception)- 774 homes and apartments
- 440,586 square feet of commercial space
- $68.6 million total investment
- $146.7 million leveraged
- Download Duluth LISC Program Summary (PDF, 691 KB)
- Learn more at: www.lisc.org/duluth
Profile:
Since 2007, Duluth LISC raised over $7.2 million for its At Home in Duluth Building Sustainable Communities initiative, to implement Quality of Life plans in five neighborhoods expanding into program areas such as: family income and asset building, workforce development, green jobs, arts-based revitalization planning, and provision of AmeriCorps members. Duluth LISC co-administers Duluth At Work, a poverty reduction, workforce, and small business development initiative, in partnership with the City. Currently, 150 low-income employees are receiving skill development, job placement, and case management services to ultimately increase incomes by at least 25 percent over three years. Community Action Duluth, a program of Duluth At Work, received grant funds from LISC to open a Financial Opportunity Center. This center will provide bundled job placement, access to benefits, and financial coaching services to 175 households in the first year. To stimulate economic development, LISC NMTC gave $9.1 million to the Clyde Park development for the adaptive reuse of a brownfield site. This site will house an entertainment and retail facility, will create over 100 jobs and will bring in new energy, family activity, and commerce to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Duluth LISC co-facilitated a Green Jobs Action Planning process producing 30 green jobs action strategies. This helped secure federal state energy program funds to create the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program, adding jobs and residential energy savings.
In education, Duluth LISC, Duluth Public Schools, the City and others are implementing Long Range Facilities and Program Plans. These include: reuse of closed schools, shared use of school building, Safe Routes to School, trail connections, adaptive reuse, and partnerships with youth agencies. To improve the quality of life, Duluth LISC’s At Home Community Safety Initiative facilitates citywide crime prevention meetings, block meetings and parties, Citizen Crime Patrols in At Home neighborhoods, and a Blight Prevention Team. LISC’s Sustainable Communities efforts also include addressing healthy foods and access to parks, trails, and healthy lifestyles.