Twin Ports Shout outs to Businesses June 23 2026

 

We're shouting out to these great businesses and events in the Twin Ports! 

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, take a look at Canal Park businesses as they geared up for Grandma’s Marathon crowds. Northern News Now reported that marathon weekend brings nearly $40 million into the region, and businesses like Voyageur Donuts have been preparing for the surge for months. That kind of local business readiness deserves recognition.

Photo/source: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/06/19/canal-park-businesses-gear-up-grandmas-marathon-crowds/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, a positive nod goes to Duluth Studio Market for embracing the energy that Grandma’s Marathon brings to Canal Park. Owner Amber Nichols described the weekend as a kickoff to summer and a chance for visitors to experience more of Duluth. It is always good to see a local small business making the most of a major community event.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/good-morning-northland/small-business-owner-discusses-impact-of-marathon-on-duluth/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, here is one worth noting from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild as All Pints North prepares for its final run in Duluth after 14 years. Organizers said the festival will move in 2027, but also made a point to thank Duluth, local partners, and the community that helped make it a success. That kind of long-running event legacy is worth recognizing.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/one-last-pour-all-pints-north-to-say-goodbye-to-duluth/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, great effort by Superior Water, Light and Power and Focus on Energy for launching a new pilot program to help local businesses cut utility costs and improve sustainability. WDIO reported that the program offers participating small businesses up to $30,000 for energy-efficiency upgrades, with several Superior businesses already involved. Practical help like this can make a real difference.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/new-superior-energy-program-to-help-businesses-and-residents/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, check this out from Google as the company moves forward with a community open house on its proposed Hermantown data center. Northern News Now reported that Google says neighbors should have a seat at the table and that company representatives will be available to answer questions about the project. Transparency and public engagement matter on developments of this size.

Photo/source: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/06/23/google-hold-community-open-house-proposed-hermantown-data-center/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, credit goes to Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters and other BWCA-related businesses for helping shape a proposed permit cancellation policy meant to reduce no-shows and improve access. Northern News Now reported that local business input helped inform the proposal, and one outfitter called it a great idea if it gets more permits into the hands of people who will actually use them. That is a constructive example of business voices helping improve a system.

Photo/source: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/06/23/superior-national-forest-proposes-new-cancellation-fees-reduce-permit-waste/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, special recognition goes to Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors for being named the best state park in the nation in USA Today’s 10BEST Reader’s Choice Awards. That kind of honor is good not only for the park, but also for the tourism economy all along the North Shore. Wins like this help shine a brighter light on the region.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/lift-online/gooseberry-falls-state-park-selected-as-top-u-s-state-park-in-usa-today-poll/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, a round of applause for J & A Logging of Wright for being named 2026 Minnesota Logger of the Year. WDIO reported that the award recognizes professionalism, sustainable forestry practices, business management, trade involvement, and community outreach. It is always encouraging to see a Minnesota company recognized for doing the work well over time.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/j-a-logging-named-2026-minnesota-logger-of-the-year/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, this is a fun one from Xcel Energy’s Bay Front Power Plant in Bayfield. Students from the Bayfield School District helped name three newly banded peregrine falcons, while researchers added trackers to monitor their movement and survival. Community involvement like this is a creative way for a company to connect education, conservation, and local pride.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/bayfield-students-name-power-plant-peregrines/

All Solutions Known shout outs this week, 6 3 26

 

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, take a look at Sol Hong Kong Cafe in Duluth. WDIO featured the Lakeside restaurant today, highlighting Chef Antony Gor and Chef Liv Sorenson and the care they put into hand-folded wontons and their wonton noodle soup. It is always good to see a local restaurant getting positive attention for craftsmanship and consistency.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/lift-online/soup-from-the-sol/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, great momentum goes to the Duluth Art Institute for offering a pay-what-you-can open studio just for teens at its Lincoln Park location. Creating affordable, welcoming ways for young people to build skills and confidence is the kind of community-minded action worth highlighting.

Photo/source: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/06/02/duluth-art-institute-offers-free-creative-space-teens/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, well done to the GND Development Alliance and GND Rec Center for celebrating the grand opening of a new playground in Gary-New Duluth on June 1. Ribbon cuttings that add something tangible for families and neighborhoods are always encouraging to see.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/new-playground-at-gnd-rec-center/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, a positive nod goes to the DECC for landing another Jerry Seinfeld show at Symphony Hall. Bringing a nationally known act back to Duluth is the kind of booking that helps keep local entertainment venues active and gives people another reason to spend time downtown.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/jerry-seinfeld-new-show-at-decc-in-duluth/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, credit goes to Superior leaders for launching the new Heritage Tree Program and recognizing the city’s first designated Heritage Tree. Programs like this help preserve local identity while creating positive civic energy around beautification and place pride.

Photo/source: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/06/01/city-superior-celebrates-arbor-day-launches-heritage-tree-program/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, good work by the Lake Superior YMCA deserves mention for organizing another food box distribution in Superior. Community-serving efforts like this matter because they show organizations stepping up in practical ways that directly help local families.

Photo/source: https://kbjr6.com/2026/06/02/free-food-boxes-available-superior/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, it is worth recognizing United Way of Northeastern Minnesota and its local partners as Meet Up and Chow Down gets set to begin. WDIO reported that lunches will be prepared by local schools, grocery stores, and restaurants, which makes this a strong example of multiple community players working together to serve kids this summer.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/meet-up-and-chow-down-starts-on-monday-volunteers-encouraged-to-sign-up-to-help-kids/

From All Solutions Known Wins and Recognitions, special recognition goes to Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps and PAVSA for the way they responded after a burst pipe disrupted an essential survivor support program in Duluth. This one is also from May 28, just outside the strict 5-day window, but it is a strong example of one local organization stepping in to help another recover and keep serving people.

Photo/source: https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/duluth-nonprofit-bounces-back-after-pipe-burst/

Help us to Help Service Industries get ALL of their FICA Tips Credits and we'll pay you, over and over...

 

Restaurants & Bars, cafes and food trucks, Hospitality, Hotels, country clubs, and social clubs, Beauty & Wellness like Salons, spas, barbershops, and esthetics businesses are missing out on the FICA Tip Credit. You can help, and get referral fees for helping us to help them.

We are helping the service industry claim the FICA Tip Credit. But we have a problem, and you can help; and get paid for it!

First what is the FICA Tip Credit?

Do you own a business in the service industry? CLICK HERE and get you estimate or book a call if you have questions.

If you want to help us help businesses in the service industry, KEEP READING...

The FICA Tip Credit is a federal tax incentive that helps qualifying food, beverage, and certain beauty service businesses offset the employer-paid Social Security and Medicare taxes on employee tips.

For eligible businesses such as restaurants, bars, and qualifying beauty service providers, this credit may provide a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal tax liability. It is based on the employer’s share of FICA taxes paid on reported employee tips above the required wage threshold.

Eligible employers generally claim the credit by filing IRS Form 8846 with their federal income tax return. Because it is a general business tax credit, unused credits may potentially be carried back one year or forward up to 20 years.

In simple terms, if your business has tipped employees, this credit may help you recover money you are already paying out in payroll taxes.

Next, here’s how you can help.

Because there are only so many hours in the work day, we can only see so many people and this is urgent. These businesses need these credits now.

Simply tell your current clients that we exist. GMG Services has been around for over 25 years helping small business owners claim tax credits and refunds that remain hidden. What we do is complicated but we make it simple for you. We do it well. Just tell others about us and we take it from there.

1.  Tell your clients about us and give them the link to our advisor site. (Download our ad)

2.  They visit the site; plug in a few numbers and within 60 seconds get an estimate as to what they are owed.

3.  We contact them or they self-activate when you and they are at the site.

4.  We then send you a check for $100.

5.  Repeat.

Be sure to tell us that you are sending them our way or that you have. We always ask where they found out about us so you’ll get paid. (Just contact us after you see that they have activated and we'll confirm).

It’s that's simple.

You already know these customers. Simply print our “ad” and use as a bag stuffer, handout, ad in your newsletter, etc.

Check out our site for yourself to check our credibility (we've been doing this for 26 years). Call my cell number, and let’s do a quick discussion on how you can start this lucrative referral program and start collecting checks soon.

We may not keep this open for long because we don’t want too many referral partners because we want to serve both our clients and referral partners with excellence.

Talk soon!