Highlights included new women’s group, opening of The LOT venue

By Kelly Peterson, Superior Business Improvement District
Superior Telegram – January 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Another year filled with of growth and fun was had in the Superior Business Improvement District.
We began the year in partnership with the city of Superior, creating a new promotion to support the 2024 Ice Festival: the Snowflake Scramble. Fifteen businesses participated with food, shopping specials and activities geared to engage the community in the district. We’re looking forward to continuing it in 2025.

In February, the Superior BID began our Women in Business group . Initially this group was formed for the women Stakeholders in the district to provide information regarding funding opportunities, updates within the SBID boundaries, allow for presentations about other opportunities in the community and provide a safe space to discuss topics unique to their businesses.
The response was positive, and we opened the group to others in the community. Presentations have included University of Wisconsin-Superior service learning programs, School District of Superior, Superior/Douglas County Leadership program, Superior Days participants, professional coaching, WiSys VentureHome and more.
We worked with The Development Association to bring the Parade of Products back to Superior Days, with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation on a business opportunity and information session for the Blatnik Bridge project, as well as with VentureHome.
Working with the Superior/Douglas County Leadership Program, a group project brought a wonderful stage to the Superior Downtown Farmers Market space, known as The LOT. The LOT had a few events already in 2024: a grand opening, Jeep friends event, PRIDE at The LOT and the Goin’ Postal Music festival kickoff party. Looking forward to more events in 2025.

Participating in the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Transportation Visual Quality meetings for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project as well as other bridge planning meetings has been important to keep our stakeholders and the community informed.
Improvements to Tower Avenue from Belknap to 28th Street and possibly into south Superior will be on the agenda for next year, as well as updates to Winter Street.
The SBID awarded grants to Superior Tan and Wellness, Duluth’s Best Bread, Twin Ports BID, Northwest Outlet, M&H Properties, Outdoor North, Life Infusions, Holden, EmFATic and Center for Muscle & Joint Therapy.
The Superior Business Improvement District partners with the larger economic team consisting of the city of Superior, Douglas County, and the Development Association/Superior Business Center, Northwest Regional Planning and the Entrepreneur Fund in providing support and opportunities for growth and planning for 2025 with events like the Superior Douglas County Economic Resources Open House, BIPOC Summit with UW-Superior and VentureHome Superior.
Look us up online at Superiorbid.com, check our socials Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn or send an email to [email protected]
Thanks for the great year and stay tuned for our bridge planning as we continue to “Think/Buy/Support Local.”
Kelly Peterson is executive director of the Superior Business Improvement District.