Minnesota's largest business publication recognized Duluth Mayor Don Ness as its Person of the Year at a special awards reception last night attended by hundreds of business, civic and community leaders from around the state.

"For this award, we considered several individuals and their achievements in 2013 and in recent years. More than any other nominee, Don Ness stood out for exceptional leadership that has strengthened our state's economy, business opportunities and culture," said Twin Cities Business Editor in Chief Dale Kurschner.

Under Ness' leadership, Duluth - the state's fourth largest city and the hub for economic activity along the North Shore and throughout the Iron Range - has triumphed over adversity, addressing significant issues head-on. As a result, it has emerged from the Great Recession and a devastating 2012 flood with prospects brighter than it's seen in decades. Among the city's accomplishments:

  • An unfunded retiree health care liability has been cut by $186 million, reducing it by half.
  • Duluth's general fund reserve has increased from a deficit of $1.35 million at the end of 2008 to a reserve of $7.53 million in 2011. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services recently increased the city's credit rating to AA, and the mayor's 2014 budget will result in a property tax reduction for the first time since 2000.
  • Duluth has revived its downtown business district after aggressively confronting the sale of synthetic drugs that had contributed to increased crime and violence in the downtown business district. Crime has since significantly decreased while business has increased.
  • The city developed and implemented a detailed plan to completely eliminate sanitary sewer overflows into Lake Superior--a plan that's both under budget and ahead of schedule.
  • Duluth is experiencing unprecedented economic revitalization, which now includes an unemployment rate of 4.6 percent (below the state and national average), and historically high job creation and economic development.
  • The City joined with local economic development partners to recruit a talented workforce. Young professionals are increasingly choosing Duluth for its unique balance of social and career opportunities of a big city, with the intimacy and quality of life of a suburb, and outdoor adventure opportunities that rival those of other locations around the country.
  • In 2011, Ness became the first mayor in Duluth history to run unopposed. In a 2013 National Citizen Survey, Duluth citizens gave Ness a 90 percent job-approval rating. Ness, who turns 40 years old today, first took office in 2008.

Guests at the Person of the Year event were the first to receive copies of the magazine's annual Black Book: People and Companies to Know in 2014, which contains a feature story about Ness.

The Black Book, which also contains mini-profiles on 100 other people to know in 2014 and listings of more than 900 companies interested in helping businesses succeed, will be available at select newsstands throughout the Twin Cities metro area, including at Barnes & Noble and Byerly's, later this month.

This is the first time Twin Cities Business has designated a Person of the Year. The magazine plans to do so annually and is already seeking nominations for next year. Nominees should be individuals who have recently, and are today, demonstrating outstanding leadership that strengthens Minnesota's economy and culture, and increases business opportunities in the state.

About Twin Cities Business

Minneapolis-based Twin Cities Business publishes award-winning news, analysis, features and commentary about the state's most interesting and important business leaders, challenges and opportunities daily at TCBmag.com, twice weekly in its "Briefcase" e-newsletter and monthly through Twin Cities Business magazine.

Twin Cities Business
Dale Kurschner, 763-567-9241