Duluth Chamber emerges as state’s model for business-government partnership under Baumgartner’s vision

In the view of many local observers — and increasingly peers around Minnesota and the Upper Midwest — no chamber of commerce is setting a more innovative pace or securing bigger wins on behalf of its members and community than the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.

Fueled by the humble, highly strategic leadership of visionary President Matt Baumgartner (email Matt), the Chamber has emerged as arguably the state’s premier force in aligning business and government priorities, driving policy success at the Capitol and laying groundwork for transformational economic growth across the region.

A blueprint that sets Duluth apart

While other chambers often stop at networking events and standard advocacy, Duluth’s model digs deeper. Each year, once the City of Duluth and St. Louis County finish setting their local legislative priorities, it’s the Chamber that steps up to weave them — along with the needs of the private sector — into a single, unified push to St. Paul.

This approach, which might be unmatched elsewhere in Minnesota, is driven by a highly engaged Chamber board. Directors do more than rubber-stamp policy outlines; they help shape the final agenda through intensive working sessions and then accompany the Chamber team to deliver it directly to lawmakers. Baumgartner’s steady hand keeps the process focused, collaborative and grounded in the long game of economic development.

That plan comes to life most visibly during Duluth and St. Louis County Days at the Capitol. Each year, a delegation that includes Chamber board members, local business owners, nonprofit leaders, labor representatives, Duluth City Councilors, St. Louis County staff and county commissioners makes the trip to meet face to face with state legislators. The turnout from lawmakers is often striking, a testament to how clearly Duluth’s unified front has distinguished itself.

“I am so appreciative of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the energy and strategic advocacy the member organizations provide, and have deep respect for Matt and the Chamber leadership team,” said Kevin Gray, St. Louis County’s top administrator. “The Chamber provides respectful feedback and accountability on County policy and actions, while also helping educate their members on our behalf. I value this partnership and the opportunity it provides for us to learn from each other and develop smarter solutions for our region.”

A record of results under Baumgartner

Those efforts have delivered. In recent sessions alone, local leaders — guided by the Chamber’s orchestration — helped secure $650 million for the Blatnik Bridge rebuild, $10 million for improvements at Duluth International Airport’s air traffic control tower, and a critical share of more than $450 million in statewide road infrastructure investments. They’ve also defended Local Government Aid, extended unemployment benefits vital to Iron Range families, and championed tax reforms positioning Duluth as a future center for data centers and advanced technology.

Much of that success, Chamber insiders say, stems directly from Baumgartner’s leadership style. A Duluth native who took the Chamber’s helm in 2021 after a long stint with Grandma’s Restaurant Co., Baumgartner blends private-sector rigor with a clear sense of civic duty. His prior service as Chamber board chair and on countless local boards — from the DECC and Duluth YMCA to Canal Park’s business district and the U of M Medical School advisory council — give him a broad perspective that is rare among regional economic developers.

He also maintains a hands-on commitment to workforce initiatives like Duluth Promise CTE and local childcare task forces, quietly ensuring that long-term economic pieces are always moving alongside the headline-grabbing legislative wins.

Baumgartner was born and raised in Duluth, watched as his parents built their careers here. He has spent his entire career here -- first in business, now in civic leadership.

“I’ve seen what this community can do when we come together around a shared goal,” Baumgartner said. “The Chamber isn’t just about business success -- it’s about building a city my kids will be proud to call home 20 years from now. That means staying focused, collaborative, and bold enough to keep pushing for what’s next.

“Duluth’s future will be built by those willing to do the hard, often quiet work of connection. It’s not about grabbing headlines or leaving a scorched-earth path. It’s about aligning vision, removing barriers for business, and staying relentless in the face of complexity. The Chamber’s role is to bring people together, keep the long game in focus, and help write the next chapter of this region’s economic growth story. A story that’s rooted in innovation, inclusion, and opportunity.”

Indeed, the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is a proactive leader and partner for both the City of Duluth and our community, Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert said.

“Each year, its leadership on Duluth and St. Louis County Days is a masterclass in advocacy, bringing together businesses, government, and nonprofits to speak with one clear, regional voice,” Reinert added. “As both a former legislator and now as Mayor, I’ve seen firsthand how effective that kind of coordinated effort can be. The Chamber’s recent resurgence is no accident - Matt has brought a new level of energy, focus, and connectivity that’s making a real impact for our local economy. I am grateful for both his mentorship as a leader, his support as a friend, and his partnership as a key ally in the shared work we are doing to move Duluth forward.”

A mission bigger than business cards

To outsiders, it might look like just another business association. But in Duluth, the Chamber is widely understood as a linchpin institution — a group that not only advocates for its nearly 1,000 members but also stitches together the many threads of local economic strategy into one powerful, persuasive message.

Its mission remains to serve members by providing business advocacy, collaborative leadership and member-driven initiatives. Its vision is equally ambitious: to be the area’s premier advocate for business by facilitating partnerships that actively advance the region. Those goals show up daily in its work to educate members on the value of their investment, drive membership retention, serve as a trusted referral hub, and champion economic development.

While the Chamber continues staples like ribbon cuttings — events that often pack newsrooms and give new businesses free exposure — it also quietly addresses the bottlenecks that can choke growth. Under Baumgartner and the board, the Chamber has worked to overhaul Duluth’s construction permitting process, backing new city staffing and reactivating the Construction Permitting Task Force. It has stayed in the trenches on zoning, by-right development rules and Unified Development Code updates, all of which influence how quickly new housing and commercial projects can get built.

“When Matt came aboard as Chamber president, he had big shoes to fill because David Ross had shaped the organization to be a serious player regarding business advocacy, government relations and visibility,” said Steve Greenfield, owner of Greenfield Public Relations and a former Chamber board chair. “Matt has further strengthened those areas while developing new approaches to address modern-day challenges. He has the Chamber well positioned for long-term effectiveness.”

Why it matters for Duluth’s next chapter

Supporters argue the impact is felt well beyond ribbon cuttings and press releases. Stronger small businesses, faster permitting, major infrastructure wins and new housing starts all fuel a tax base that keeps local streets paved and classrooms staffed.

In a city hungry for new jobs and long-term private investment, the Chamber’s relentless work under Baumgartner — amplified by an unusually hands-on board and by close partnerships with St. Louis County and the City of Duluth — has set it apart not only in Minnesota but across the Midwest. In many ways, it has become the quiet architect behind Duluth’s most promising economic storylines.

And that may be its greatest achievement: showing how collaboration, humility and persistent advocacy can turn a local chamber from a business-card exchange club into the region’s essential driver of prosperity.

Baumgartner said he sees Duluth as a launchpad, one where legacy industries, natural assets, and bold ideas converge.

“Our focus at the Chamber is on helping position this region to lead in sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, healthcare, and applied tech,” he said. “The Chamber’s role is to build the connective tissue between policy and private sector, workforce and innovation — so that our community doesn’t just compete, but defines the future of economic growth as a national hub of excellence.”

Chamber Notebook

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a busy stretch of summer events, new local projects and key leadership changes that underscore the city’s steady growth.

New Life Link III hangar underway at airport

Work is now underway on a new aircraft hangar at Duluth International Airport that will house Life Link III operations. The facility is being built on the north side of the airfield, a site long targeted for aviation and commercial expansion.

The hangar will support both helicopter and airplane services for Life Link III. Funding is coming from the Federal Aviation Administration through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, along with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and local contributions from the Duluth Airport Authority. Once finished, officials plan a ribbon-cutting to celebrate.

Leadership transition at Lake Superior College

Lake Superior College is entering a new era as Dr. Patricia Rogers, who became president in 2019, prepares to step down. The Chamber praised her time at the helm, noting her focus on student success and workforce partnerships has left a mark on the broader community.

Dr. Linda Kingston, who joined the college in 2020, will now take over as president. The Chamber said she has already made a strong impression across the Duluth area and looks forward to continuing joint efforts to prepare the local workforce.

Thousands attend Duluth Air Show despite weather

Rain and early storms didn’t keep crowds away from the start of the 25th Duluth Air and Aviation Expo. The two-day show kicked off just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the airport, marking a quarter-century for the event.

Navy Week brings special visitors to Duluth

Last week also featured U.S. Navy Week, which took on extra meaning as the service marks its 250th year. Chamber President Matt Baumgartner met with Rear Admiral Mike Brown and other Navy leaders, sharing local economic stories and discussing the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee.

Baumgartner received the admiral’s Challenge Coin — a military token of respect — and presented him with a Chamber pin in return.

Upcoming gatherings across the city

Several networking and professional events are on the calendar in the weeks ahead:

July 8: Connect @ Clyde will feature Dr. S. Jared Broadway of Northern Neurosurgery & Spine discussing private medical practice at Clyde Iron Works. Sponsored by Spherion Staffing.

July 17: Ignite Your Fuse luncheon at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. will give guests a look behind the scenes at one of Duluth’s top breweries. Sponsored by J3 Insurance.

August 21: Fuse Fest returns at Glensheen Mansion, celebrating 20 years of the Fuse Duluth program with food, drinks, live music and lawn games. Organizers are still looking for vendors and prize donors.

More local business celebrations

Two ribbon cuttings are set for mid-July: Northern Waters Float Center will open its doors July 14 on Ramsey Street, and Barr Engineering Co. will unveil its new field office on Airpark Boulevard on July 15.

Grandma’s Marathon’s economic lift

Finally, Baumgartner spoke with Northern News Now about the huge economic boost that Grandma’s Marathon brings each year, as roughly 20,000 runners and their guests spend the weekend across the city.

For more on these updates or to learn about Chamber programs, visit duluthchamber.com.