JULIE: I'M JULIE ZENNER ALONG WITH DENNIS ANDERSON.

HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

DENNIS: SUPERIOR MAYOR JIM PAINE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL LOCAL BENEFITS OF THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING.

JULIE: WE'LL MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE DULUTH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TALK ABOUT HIS GOALS DURING HIS FIRST WEEKS ON THE JOB.

DENNIS: AND WE'LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S HONEYBEE FESTIVAL AND EFFORTS TO MAKE OUR REGION BEE-FRIENDLY.

JULIE: THOSE STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION, COMING UP ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH," THANKS FOR WATCHING.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, DENNY.

DENNIS: THE LAST WEEK REALLY FLEW BY, I HOPE THE REST OF THE MONTH SLOWS DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

JULIE: THESE ARE THE LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER.

DENNIS: THEY CERTAINLY ARE.

THANKS, JULIE.

AS COVID-19 CASES BEGIN TO RISE DUE TO THE DELTA VARIANT, MASKING IS ONCE AGAIN BEING RECOMMENDED IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

ALSO THIS WEEK, BOTH ST. LUKE'S AND ESSENTIA HEALTH MANDATED VACCINES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES AS A REQUIREMENT OF EMPLOYMENT.

BOTH SYSTEMS SAY WORKERS WILL HAVE TO HAVE THEIR FIRST SHOT OF THE VACCINE BY OCTOBER 1.

JULIE: THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY BOARD THIS WEEK VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ALLOCATE MORE THAN $5 MILLION TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO HELP GET STUDENTS BACK ON TRACK AFTER THE DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.

THE FUNDING WILL PAY FOR MENTORS TO BE HIRED IN FIFTEEN DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SERVE ABOUT 1000 STUDENTS.

DENNIS: EXPECT LANE CLOSURES AND POTENTIAL DELAYS IF YOU ARE USING THE BONG BRIDGE BETWEEN DULUTH AND SUPERIOR NEXT WEEK.

THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS INSPECTING THE BRIDGE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND WILL BE CLOSING LANES DURING THE INSPECTION.

THE BONG BRIDGE OPENED TO TRAFFIC IN 1985 AND IS OVER TWO MILES LONG, INCLUDING 8300 FEET OVER WATER.

JULIE: AND THE WISCONSIN DNR IS CLOSING THE LAKE TROUT SEASON AROUND THE APOSTLE ISLANDS REGION OF LAKE SUPERIOR EFFECTIVE AUGUST 16.

THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SAID INCREASED FISHING PRESSURE AND THE SUCCESS OF ANGLERS NECESSITATED THE EARLY CLOSURE.

LAKE TROUT FISHING WILL REMAIN OPEN IN WISCONSIN WATERS OF LAKE SUPERIOR BETWEEN BARK POINT AND THE CITY OF SUPERIOR.

DENNIS: THE MAYOR OF SUPERIOR HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK TOUTING THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF THE TRILLION-DOLLAR BIPARTISAN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

THAT BILL IS WINDING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS, WITH A KEY SENATE VOTE EXPECTED SATURDAY.

JOINING US NOW WITH HIS THOUGHTS ON THAT BILL AND OTHER CITY NEWS IS JIM PAINE, THE MAYOR OF SUPERIOR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN.

YOU HAVE RAISED THAT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY SEEN SOMETHING IN THAT THAT WILL HELP YOUR CITY.

MAYOR PAINE: THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS AND IT IS HARD TO EXAGGERATE HOW GREAT THIS WILL COULD BE FOR SUPERIOR AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

THE THINGS I AM WATCHING MOST CLOSELY ARE MONEY TO HELP US WITH CLIMATE AND POSTAL RESTORATION RESILIENCY, PARTICULARLY PROTECTING LAKE SUPERIOR.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY AND REDUCED BUREAUCRACY THAT WILL HELP US TO LOCAL VISION ZERO PROGRAMS THAT EGGS TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS SAFER FOR ALL TRAVELERS.

THE THING I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS MORE MONEY FOR BROADBAND.

SUPERIOR IS IN THE MIDDLE OF BEGINNING OUR CONNECT SUPERIOR PROGRAM.

JULIE: THE MIDDLE OF THE BEGINNING.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN REAL TERMS?

MAYOR PAINE: THAT IT IS A LONG AND COMPLEX PROCESS.

WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED OUR MASTER PLAN AND I EXPECT TO ADOPT THAT AT OUR NEXT MEETING AND THEN WE WILL GET TO WORK ON THE PLANNING AND DESIGN PHASE.

JULIE: HOW IS THE PUBLIC RESPONDING TO THAT?

MAYOR PAINE: OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTIVE.

EVERYBODY IN SUPERIOR NEW WE NEEDED BETTER ACCESS TO INTERNET BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BUT THE PANDEMIC SO CHANGED LIFE AND OUR ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES LIKE SUPERIOR WHERE A LOT OF FOLKS STRUGGLE TO HAVE A GOOD CONNECTION OR A CONNECTION THEY CAN AFFORD, AND SOMETIMES BOTH.

THEY HAVE REALLY BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

DENNIS: HOW IS YOUR CITY DOING FINANCIALLY?

MAYOR PAINE: VERY WELL.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR 2022 GENERAL FUND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PROCESS RIGHT NOW AND I EXPECT THOSE DOCUMENTS THE FIRST TUESDAY IN SEPTEMBER.

GENERAL FUNDS ARE TOUGH AND WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BOOKS, BUT I THINK CITIZENS SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE COMMUNITY.

DENNIS: HOW DOES TERRORISM WORK WORK INTO THE MIX?

MAYOR PAINE: KEEP IN MIND WEDDING SEASON IS BASICALLY BACK ON AND WE ARE DOUBLING THAT UP AND EVERYBODY IS VISITING SUPERIOR TO VISIT WITH RELATIVES.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING A MAJOR BOOM IN CONSTRUCTION AND A LOT OF HOTELS ARE FILLED WITH WORKERS IN TOWN TO HELP WITH MANY PROJECTS WE HAVE.

JULIE: SUPERIOR RECEIVED $17 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING.

HOW IS THAT MONEY BEING USED?

MAYOR PAINE: TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I'M TRYING TO MOVE SLOWER THAN A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT RIGHT.

I WILL SAY, I INTEND TO DEDICATE MOST OF IT TO THE CITY BROADBAND PROJECTS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIMARY USES .

DENNIS: WHAT EFFECT DID COVID HAVE ON THE CITY?

MAYOR PAINE: THE SAME AS MOST COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE LOST MORE PEOPLE THAN WE SHOULD HAVE AND IT REALLY UP ENDED LIVES.

THERE WERE SILVER LININGS, AND WHILE WE WOULD NOT EVER WANT TO GO BACK TO 2020, A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY CAME OUT OF IT.

WE SAW A SURPRISING SURGE IN NEW BUSINESSES OPENING, PARTICULARLY AMONG ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR.

SUPERIOR'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY GOT MORE VIBRANT AND SUCCESSFUL AND WE HAVE A LOT OF STORES FILLED ALL OF A SUDDEN.

DENNIS: DID IT RUSH THE CLOSURE OF SOME BUSINESSES IN SUPERIOR?

MAYOR PAINE: WE DID SEE THAT BUT I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE SUFFERED FINANCIALLY STRICTLY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO GET OUT DURING A YEAR THAT WOULD'VE BEEN TOUGH ANYWAY.

IF YOU WERE ON THE FINAL STRAW, IT DID BREAK THE CAMELS BACK, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS WE EXPECTED.

JULIE: HOW OUR BUSINESS IS IN TERMS OF FINDING WORKERS FOR ALL OF THE NEW JOBS?

MAYOR PAINE: IT DEPENDS ON THE BUSINESS.

IT IS TOUGH FOR SOME, PARTICULARLY IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY.

SUPERIOR'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS BACK TO NORMAL.

OUR WORK PARTICIPATION RATE IS NORMAL.

THE FOLKS THAT CAN BE WORKING GENERALLY ARE.

BUT THAT IS NOT TO SAY IT'S NOT HARD FOR A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE TO FIND QUALITY WORKERS.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THE CITY NEEDS TO HAVE SOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL?

MAYOR PAINE: RIGHT NOW I WOULD SAY GETTING BROADBAND INTERNET FOR THE ENTIRE CITY AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE.

JULIE: WHAT ABOUT MASKING MANDATES?

YOU WENT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR A COUPLE OF TIMES, MADE SURE SUPERIOR COULD HAVE AMASSED MANDATE.

DO YOU SEE THAT -- A MASK MANDATE.

DO YOU SEE THAT HAPPENING AGAIN?

MAYOR PAINE: I DON'T SEE AMASSED MANDATE, THAT ALL OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS WERE BASED ON SCIENCE AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

WHEN WE HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY THAT IT IS NECESSARY, WE WILL FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

JULIE: I MISSPOKE, YOU WENT AGAINST THE LEGISLATURE.

[LAUGHTER] DENNIS: HOW IS PUBLIC TRANSIT DOING IN YOUR CITY AND DOESN'T NEED IMPROVEMENT?

MAYOR PAINE: ABSOLUTELY IT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT AND I THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE IT.

THE BETTER BUS LOOP PRINT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE DTA AND THE HISTORY OF THE CITY.

WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT FOR THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, CONNECTING THEM TO JOBS, HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION WHILE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR 98%.

DENNIS: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

JULIE: WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

♪ IT'S TIME NOW FOR "VOICES OF THE REGION."

EACH WEEK WE HEAR FROM A JOURNALIST IN THE REGION ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

THIS WEEK TIMBERJAY PUBLISHER MARSHALL HELMBERGER FROM TOWER IS OUR GUEST.

♪ MARSHALL: BUSINESSES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WERE TALKING THIS WEEK ABOUT TRYING TO FIND WAYS THEY CAN HELP AREA BUSINESSES FIND WORKERS.

IT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUMMER, IT HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY BUSY SUMMER AND ALL OF THE PLACES UP HERE, BUT BUSINESSES HAVE STRUGGLED TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES.

RESTAURANTS HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY HARD-HIT AND MANY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CLOSE EARLIER OR OPEN LATER, OFTEN CLOSE ENTIRE DAYS OR WEEKENDS IN SOME CASES BECAUSE OF THE UNAVAILABILITY OF STAFFING, AND THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE.

THIS IS PEAK TIME RIGHT NOW FOR BUSINESSES, WHEN BUSINESSES APPEAR HERE MAKE THEIR MONEY, AND NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE THE DEMAND THAT IS THERE IS FRUSTRATING FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

RIGHT NOW THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO PROMOTE THE USE OF J ONE VISAS -- J-1 VISAS, IT ALLOWS TYPICALLY YOUNGER WORKERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO COME IN FOR SEASONAL WORK AND OFTEN USED IN TERRORIST AREAS.

IT HAS BEEN USED FOR YEARS ON THE NORTH SHORE.

1 -- USED IN TOURIST AREAS.

IT HAS BEEN USED FOR YEARS ON THE NORTH SHORE.

THE APPLICATION IS A LITTLE BIT CUMBERSOME FOR FOLKS NOT USED TO DOING THAT, AND THERE IS A LEARNING CURVE, SO THE CHAMBER IS THINKING MAYBE THEY CAN HELP FOLKS OUT SO THEY CAN MAKE APPLICATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT IS TOO LATE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THIS YEAR, BUT THERE IS NO SIGN THIS IS GOING AWAY.

♪ IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS, NORTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, THERE ARE CALLS FOR DEER POPULATION INCREASES RANGING FROM 25% IN THE COOK LAKE, VERMILION AREA, 177, TO 5% INCREASES IN NORTHERN ST. LOUIS COUNTY, WHICH HAS STRUGGLED TO SEE A REBOUND IN THE DEER HERD.

THE CALL FOR INCREASING NUMBERS OF DEAR ARE LIKELY TO -- DEER ARE LIKELY TO CONTRIBUTE TO LOWER BACK NUMBERS FOR HUNTERS.

ALL OF THE PERMIT AREAS APPEAR WOULD BE CONSIDERED A LOW GOAL RIGHT NOW.

WE PROBABLY ARE NOT GOING TO SEE VERY AGGRESSIVE HARVEST LEVELS UP HERE FOR SURE.

THE GOALS SET UP HERE APPEAR TO REFLECT THE ATTITUDES EXPRESSED BY HUNTERS MORE THAN LANDOWNERS.

AS PART OF THE PROCESS, THE DNR SENT SURVEYS TO ROUGHLY 500 HUNTERS IN EACH PERMIT AREA, THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY HUNTED THERE, AND THEY SENT SURVEYS TO A SLIGHTLY SMALLER NUMBER OF LANDOWNERS.

WHILE RESULTS VARIED BY PERMIT AREA, LAND OWNERS CONSIDERABLY LESS ENTHUSIASM FOR HIGHER DEER NUMBERS THAN DID HUNTERS.

♪ ALL VISITORS NOW TO THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST, INCLUDING THE BOUNDARY WATERS, WILL NEED TO STORE THEIR FOOD PROPERLY TO HELP PROTECT WILD BEARS, ESSENTIALLY TO DISCOURAGE WILD BEARS FROM GETTING INTO THEIR PACKS.

BEARS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO DO THAT, AND THE FOREST SERVICE DOES NOT LIKE THOSE SITUATIONS, OFTEN TIMES IT LEADS TO BEARS HAVING TO BE TAKEN OUT IF THEY ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS AT CAMPGROUNDS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE THAT AND THEY HAVE A FOOD SERVICE ORDER WENT INTO EFFECT JULY 30 BECAUSE THEY'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN HUMAN-BEAR INTERACTIONS.

THAT IS A PROBLEM.

A COUPLE OF FACTORS APPEAR TO BE AT WORK, ACCORDING TO BIOLOGISTS.

THEY ARE ASKING -- THEY ARE BEING MORE AGGRESSIVE IN ASKING PEOPLE TO REPORT BEARS.

ALSO, THE HARD FREEZE THIS SPRING COMBINED WITH THE SEVERE DROUGHT HAS TAKEN A WHACK AT THE BARRY AND -- BERRY AND NUT CROP, AND BEARS ARE NOT FINDING THEIR NORMAL FOOD SOURCES AND ARE LOOKING FOR OTHERS.

IT IS NOT A SURPRISE THEY WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE.

THE NEW ORDER REQUIRES PEOPLE TO HANG FOOD PACKS AT LEAST 12 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND OR USE A BEAR RESISTANT CONTAINER.

THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE AT MORE ESTABLISHED CAMPGROUNDS, BUT OBVIOUSLY WILL NOT CARRY SOMETHING LIKE THAT INTO THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

FOLKS ARE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY BRING ROPE AND THE FOREST SERVICE IS SUGGESTING A TYPE OF PULLEY THAT YOU BRING THAT HELPS TO HANG THESE PACKS IN A WAY THAT TEARS CANNOT GET TO THEM.

-- AT BEARS CANNOT GET TO THEM.

♪ IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING SUMMER.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT HOW BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TO CLOSE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND STAFF.

IF YOU ARE IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH BEARS, EXTREMELY LOW WATER LEVELS, MAKING TRAVEL ON NORMALLY TRAVERSABLE ROUTES THIS TIME OF YEAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

AND THEN WE HAVE LARGE-SCALE CLOSURES FROM FOREST FIRES, SO IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING SUMMER GETTING INTO THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

♪ DENNIS: THE DULUTH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS FOUNDED WAY BACK IN 1870 AND HAS SERVED THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

THE CHAMBER IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE STATE, WITH MORE THAN 1000 MEMBERS.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 24 YEARS, THERE IS NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP OF THE ORGANIZATION.

JOINING US NOW IS MATT BAUMGARTNER, PRESIDENT OF THE DULUTH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WELCOME, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW POSITION.

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS BACKGROUND THAT REALLY SOLIDIFIES THE CHOICE THAT WAS AID TO PUT YOU AT THE HELM?

MATT: THANK YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE, I AM A FAN OF THE SHOW.

BACKGROUND, I AM BORN AND RAISED IN DULUTH.

I NOW LIVE IN LAKESIDE WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN, AND WAS EDUCATED IN BUSINESS AND FOR THE LAST 14.5 YEARS HAVE WORKED FOR GRANDMA'S RESTAURANT COMPANY.

I WAS ABLE TO WORK IN BUSINESS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, ALLOWING ME TO SEE THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES OF HIS, AND ULTIMATELY AS THE GENERAL MANAGER AND DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WHEN THE PANDEMIC STRUCK.

I WAS ALSO ABLE TO SEE THE IMPACT JOB INSECURITY AND JOB LOSS HAS ON OUR COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEES.

I THINK THAT SPIRITS IN ADDITION TO SERVING ON A NUMBER OF NONPROFIT BOARDS PREPARED ME WELL FOR THE CHAMBER POSITION WHEN IT BECAME AVAILABLE.

JULIE: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS SO FAR WHEN YOU COME INTO THE ORGANIZATION AND TAKE A DIFFERENT ROLE?

MATT: IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY EXCITING AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

TO GET SETTLED AND HAS TAKEN SOME STABILIZATION AND DEFENDING THE CORE OF THE ORGANIZATION.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO LISTEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE AREA, AND THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE SENSE OF OPTIMISM AND OPPORTUNITY IN DULUTH AND IT HAS BEEN SO EXCITING TO SEE.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE CHALLENGES, SOME THAT HAVE BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC MOB MY FIRST SENSE IS DULUTH HAS -- PANDEMIC, BUT MY FIRST SENSE IS THE LOSE HAS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THE HEALTH OF THE DULUTH BUSINESS COMMUNITY?

MATT: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

IT IS CHALLENGING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD THINGS GOING FOR US, WE HAVE CRANES IN THE SKY, WHICH IS OFTEN A GOOD SIGN, BUT UNDERCUTTING THAT IS THE PANDEMIC AND INSECURITY AROUND THE PANDEMIC, WHICH HAS EXACERBATED CHALLENGES AROUND WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, HOUSING AND CHILDCARE.

THOSE THINGS LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO GROW OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

I THINK WE HAVE A HEALTHY BUSINESS COMMUNITY BUT WE HAVE SOME THINGS WE NEED TO MONITOR AND ADDRESS TO KEEP IN STABLE HEALTH.

JULIE: AS YOU LOOK AT THE PANDEMIC, WHICH IS SECTORS SEEM TO BE THE MOST RESILIENT AND WHICH ARE STRUGGLING THE MOST TO COME OUT OF THE SLUMP?

MATT: THE ONCE STRUGGLING THE MOST ARE THE SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR.

IT IS AN INDUSTRY THAT TAKES A LOT OF EMPLOYEES PER REVENUE AND AN INCREDIBLY HIGH DEMAND RIGHT NOW COMING OUT OF THE SHUTDOWN WE HAD AT LAST SPRING AND FALL.

THERE JUST ISN'T A SUPPLY OF WORKFORCE RIGHT NOW.

TO LOOK AROUND OUR COMMUNITY AND SEE SOME OF OUR STAPLE RESTAURANTS CLOSED AT DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT EMPLOYEES IS DEVASTATING.

YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND YOU ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME ON THE OTHERS.

THE MORE STABLE ONES I THINK PROVIDE SERVICES, ACCOUNTING AND LAW AND I.T.

FIRMS THAT CAN KEEP THE BUSINESS MODEL GOING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE REALLY NEED TO WORK HARD TO HELP OUR HOSPITALITY AND SERVICE SECTOR.

DENNIS: DAVID ROSS RAN THE CHAMBER FOR 24 YEARS.

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT OR THE SAME?

MAYOR PAINE: -- MATT: DAVID HAS A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AND HIS IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN PROFOUND AND I AM GRATEFUL BECAUSE HE GOT THE CHAMBER TO A STABLE POSITION SO THAT AS I TAKE THE HELM, I HAVE A GREAT STAFF AND STABLE FINANCIALS AND I'M NOT HAVING TO COME IN AND DEAL WITH DYSFUNCTION.

I AM A VERY ENERGETIC PERSON AND I TEND TO BE A SOLUTION ORIENTED PERSON AND OPTIMISTIC, SO I WANTED TO GET TO WORK ON SOME OF THESE ACUTE CHALLENGES EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC AND FIND SOLUTIONS.

MOVING FORWARD I'D LOVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE LEGACY CHALLENGES IN DILUTE.

IT IS AMAZING WE HAVE -- IN DULUTH.

IT IS AMAZING WE HAVE THIS DIVERSE ECONOMY AND YET WE STILL HAVE STRUGGLES, WE HAVE STRUGGLES WITH POPULATION GROWTH AND TAX BASED GROWTH.

I WANT TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE AND BRIDGE THE DIVIDE SO WE CAN BRING DULUTH INTO ITS GREATEST ERA AND CREATE AN ACADEMY -- CREATE AN ECONOMY THAT IS GREAT FOR EVERYONE.

JULIE: HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED BUSINESS IN DULUTH PERMANENTLY, IN THE WAY BUSINESSES DELIVER SERVICES AND THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH REAL ESTATE THEY NEED?

JUST SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS BUSINESSES HAVE TO CONSIDER.

MATT: I THINK THEY ARE CONSIDERING CHANGING IN PERPETUITY, AND SOME OF THE CHANGES WERE WE COULD SEE WE CAN DO MORE WORK REMOTELY.

WE HAVE TO GET SOME PEOPLE BACK BECAUSE THERE IS A WORKPLACE CULTURE THAT HAPPENS IN THE OFFICE TOGETHER, BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE REMOTELY.

THERE IS A COST SAVINGS AND YOU CAN BRING SOME OVERHEAD DOWN.

THE CHALLENGE THAT COMES FROM THAT IS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MIGHT BECOME AVAILABLE.

WE ALSO HAVE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

WE KNOW WE NEED TO FIND HOUSING OF ALL TYPES, BUT IF WE TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE, WE NEED HOUSING FOR OUR WORKFORCE.

SOME OF OUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS NEED HOUSING TO RELOCATE EMPLOYEES TO THE AREA.

WE HAVE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AVAILABLE.

I HAD A WONDERFUL MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER GROVER, AND WE TALKED ABOUT WONDERFUL IDEAS LIKE FINDING STATE MONEY TO RETROFIT COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AND GET SQUARE FOOTAGE COST DOWN.

DENNIS: I HAVE TO WIND THINGS UP.

MATT: THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TONIGHT.

JULIE: APPRECIATE IT.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A GOOD OUTSIDE ACTIVITY THIS WEEKEND, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THE HONEY BEE FESTIVAL IN CARLTON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

THE OLDENBURG ARTS AND CULTURAL COMMUNITY HAS PUT TOGETHER A DIVERSE OFFERING WITH LOTS OF MUSIC, ART, GARDENING AND BEE FUN.

WE SPOKE WITH THE FESTIVAL'S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EVENT.

>> OUR MISSION IS TO ENCOURAGE OUR REGION'S VITALITY THROUGH ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND CULTURAL INTERACTION AND EXCHANGES.

WE TRY TO DEVELOP PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS THAT RING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND CREATE A VITAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT WAY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY ORIENTED EVENTS SATURDAY FROM NOON TO 5:00.

WE HAVE A BARN DANCE THAT SATURDAY IS WELL UNDER THE BIG TENT.

THERE IS AN EVENT WE CALL THE SWARM, A BIKE RIDE SATURDAY MORNING FROM A CAF É.

THEY GET THIS WONDERFUL -- LET'S SEE IF I CAN SHOW YOU -- A HONEY FESTIVAL TEACHER.

WE HAVE OVER THE TWO DAYS 17 BANDS, GREAT LIVE MUSIC ROUND-THE-CLOCK DURING THE FESTIVAL.

WE HAVE OUR MISSION TO SUPPORT PAUL OWNERS -- POLLINATORS, AND CONNECTS PEOPLE, AND ACKNOWLEDGE OUR INTERCONNECTEDNESS WITH EACH OTHER AND NATURE.

THE OTHER MISSION OR GOAL IS FOR OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN TOGETHER.

ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENT WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA BE FRIENDLY CORRIDOR.

WE'VE HAD GREAT SUPPORT FROM OUR CITY COUNCIL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES.

IN 2018 EMILY AND I APPROACHED THE CITY COUNCIL TO DECLARE ITSELF A POLLINATOR FRIENDLY COMMUNITY, WHICH ESSENTIALLY DISCOURAGES THE USE OF PESTICIDES, THE CREATION OF POLLINATOR GARDENS AND THAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY.

OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE VERY EXCITED IN SUPPORT OF IT, THEY WILL BE VOLUNTEERING, ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL, AND EVERYBODY IS PRETTY EXCITED, SO IT HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE.

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA BEE FRIENDLY CORRIDOR WAS AN OUTGROWTH WITH -- OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

WE RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL.

THE IDEA IS WE ARE PLANTING 40 POLLINATOR FRIENDLY HABITATS IN THE FOND DU LAC RESERVATION.

THIS IS SEEN AS A SEED PROJECT, AND WE WANT TO SEE IT EXTEND ACROSS THE REGION.

THE HONEYBEE IS PERFECT TO REPRESENT ALL OF THE VARIOUS POLLINATORS THAT THE PLANTS NEED AND DEPEND UPON AND WE AS HUMANS EATING THE FOOD THE PLANTS PRODUCE.

JULIE: THERE IS AN OMISSION -- AN ADMISSION FEE TO ATTEND THE FESTIVAL, AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE AND PURCHASE TICKETS AT OACC.US.

THAT'S OUR TIME FOR THIS WEEK, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR LATEST POSTS BY FOLLOWING "ALMANAC NORTH" ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, UPCOMING EVENTS AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATION.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP FOR ON DEMAND VIEWING OF YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS AND PAST EPISODES OF ALMANAC NORTH.

DENNY, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY WEEKEND WITH AUGUST HERE ALREADY.

LET'S GET OUT AND ENJOY IT.

DENNIS: ENJOY EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH.

JULIE: THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND THE CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO.

WITH DENNIS ANDERSON, I'M JULIE ZENNER, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪