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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth Communications Office
411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information, please call 218-730-5309
DATE: 3/4/2026
SUBJECT: 1200 Fund announces second round of Historic Fund loan program applications
BY: Kelli Latuska, Public Information Officer

1200 Fund announces second round of Historic Fund loan program applications

 

 

 

[DULUTH, MN] The Duluth 1200 Fund is pleased to announce its Historic Fund is accepting applications for a second round of funding.

 

The 1200 Fund received an initial $1.4 million in funding for the Historic Fund loan program to invest in ready-to-implement projects.

 

The Historic Fund offers:

  • Low to zero interest loans for downtown Duluth buildings contributing to the National Historic District
  • Partial loan forgiveness after five years of closing the loan by having a ground floor tenant
  • Exterior renovations opportunities, which may include signage, awnings, window and door replacement/repair, lighting, foundation repairs, tuckpointing, exterior painting, restoration of architectural elements, brick reconstruction, concrete work (outside of the city right of way), roof repair
  • Interior renovations opportunities, which may include stairway improvements, doorway improvements, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, HVAC improvements, electrical improvements, plumbing, windows.

 

The primary purpose of the Historic Fund is to support and encourage the vitality of and reinvestment in the Duluth Commercial Historic District through preservation, improvement, restoration, and rehabilitation. Reinvestment is defined in this loan program as the restoration of the historic atmosphere, overall visual improvement of building facades to strengthen neighborhoods, and enhancement of community viability within the Duluth Commercial Historic District in downtown Duluth.

 

The Historic Fund loan program applications will be accepted through May 18, 2026.  All eligibility items will be required at the time of application submission.  Applicants will receive notice of funding in July.

 

In 2025, the 1200 Fund board of directors selected Heirloom Properties, the Building for Women, and Hucklebeary as recipients of the Historic Fund loan program.

 

The Duluth 1200 Fund, Inc. is a private non-profit 501c3 organization.

 

Inquiries for application assistance and additional questions regarding the application process may contact the 1200 Fund at 1200fund@duluthmn.gov.

 

 

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