DULUTH, MN (CBS-3) – The Duluth City council approved a motion Monday night to give a $1.8 million dollar contract to Twin Cities-based Bellmont Partners.
The contract will make Bellmont the city’s primary tourism marketing firm, a title previously held by Visit Duluth.
Bellmont leaders say they will work to ensure a smooth transition of responsibility between the two firms, before their contract begins next year.
Discussions on the motion took place over the course of nearly two hours during Monday night’s council meeting, as residents and councilors shared thoughts and concerns.
The council also voted unanimously to table discussion on Visit Duluth’s potential new $400,000 contract.
That contract offer would allow Visit Duluth to continue working on the city’s events planning, marketing and sales, an area Mayor Emily Larson identified as one of their strengths.
The decision to postpone that vote will allow for more discussion between the city and Visit Duluth regarding the contract.
