Black Lives Matter - A Jones Group Duluth Promise.

Jones Group Duluth has had the pleasure and honor of working with many Black/POC business owners/entrepreneurs in the Duluth area. In light of the not only current, but historically consistent events, we feel it is our responsibility as BLM allies to create a mission statement committing our support.

Shelley Jones - the founder of Jones Group Duluth as an Indigenous woman who has also served on the Duluth Family Freedom Center board, recognizes the lack of support for the Black/POC community. With that heavy on the heart and mind, Jones Group Duluth is making the official statement: We feel called to action in taking a stance against the racial injustices around the world.

Jones Group Duluth believes that as entrepreneurs and human beings we should be lifting each other up. Supporting one another no matter the color of our skin. It is our responsibility to create workspaces where everyone is welcome and treated with equal respect. While it is of note that this is devastatingly not the way of the world yet, this is how we promise to take stride in creating that reality within Jones Group Duluth.

• We promise to make all of our resources, services, network community, communications, and care accessible to all Black/POC.

• We promise to create more open dialogue within our blog, where all people feel welcome to have a space with ever-evolving efforts to not only better educate ourselves, but the community we live in.

• We promise to use our privilege and power to take a stand against Racism in the United States.

• We Promise to avoid Performative Allyship and truly participate.

• We Promise to talk about race.

• We Promise to create internal Policy to support our Black/POC community.

• We Promise our Solidarity.

Jones Group Duluth strongly condemns Racisms and we stand in solidarity with the BLM movement. As simply put as it gets: Black Lives Matter.

ISO Duluth | by Shelley Jones

Do you know someone out there who is in search of a new city to call home?  Many cities across the country are looking to attract professionals who will establish themselves, their families, and their skills right within their city limits.

If Duluth were a single person wanting to attract just the right person, Duluth’s personal ad might look something like this:  ISO cool vibes, music lover, culturally interested—must love theater, ballet, symphony as much as you love a really great beer and local music.  Must be active!  Avid runner, hiker, biker? Yes, please. Enjoy dining out and taking long walks along the shore.  Work hard, play harder.  Are you out there?

Just like companies look for candidates that will fit well into their culture, people look for cities and cultures that fit well with them.  Sometimes it works out; sometimes it doesn’t.  But, I’ll tell you that I’m a little biased about this particular cultural fit.  Duluth has run away with headlines, TV spots, and magazine feature stories in the last several years when people are talking about the next “it” place.

But, seriously, for a minute:  cities thrive when there’s a good match made between people living there and what’s available to them.  Like any good relationship, there has to be enough in common to make you want to stay and work hard at it. 

Duluth works hard at its part in the relationship.  Cities with culture and creativity contribute to higher economic growth, especially for cities with low-income people.  The size of a city doesn’t determine its performance, either.  Duluth’s numbers of artists of all kinds is outsized per capita than many larger cities.

Access to the arts and diverse culture define the livability of our cities.  Smart cities take advantage of promoting their cultures to attract the right partners, so to speak—retaining and nurturing creative workforces and dynamic personalities that ultimately contribute to the life of their city.

Our downtown is thriving.  That’s been said so many times by so many and it’s well deserved.  But, is it a match for you?  Our music, our restaurants, our striving entrepreneurs, our coffee, our trails, our lake, and our symphony, theater, and performing arts culture are accessible and welcome, treasured benefits for people who work hard and play harder.  There are few places with a bustling downtown business corridor where, in just moments, you can walk onto a scene like the Lakewalk, where all the stress melts away with a lake breeze.

Not only does the city have so much to offer culturally and naturally, but there’s a supportive business community here where people from all business backgrounds can be valuable resources for those just starting out and for those looking for advice on expanding or even for those expanding their business here from other locations.  In many ways, Duluth is that city with real small-town appeal and relationships.  Organizations like the Greater Downtown Council are valuable resources for everyone in our business district here.  Make sure you have a great support system when you start a relationship with your new city.

All of this makes a match if I ever saw one.  It’s why you should want to work here, play here, thrive here.  Duluth is that city you’ve been dreaming about. 

If you’re ISO amazing opportunities and a relationship with room to grow long into the future, hey, I’ve got just the right place for you.

Shelley Jones, of Jones Group of Duluth, is a commercial real estate broker based in Duluth and is a board member of the Greater Downtown Council.

Downtown: In the Middle of it All by Shelley Jones

I call all of downtown my office.  It's not just a clever slogan.  When I drive around downtown, as part of my commercial properties brokerage business, I have the privilege of holding listings in Wells Fargo Center, the News Tribune building along with many others within the downtown area.  

If you take the time to walk around downtown, you can't help but feel a new vital energy that's been building steadily over the last several years.  New restaurants and spots for local bands are opening.  On the east end of Superior Street, business owners and artists have forged partnerships and created our new, branded Historic Arts District, HART.  Our new Transportation Center shows our commitment to a future of mass transit and managing city growth in ways that look to the future. On the west end of Superior Street, the new maurices building has claimed its place on the Duluth skyline, joining buildings of industry that have created the city's profile for more than a century.

Our downtown corridor is also a place of constant renewal.  Development envisioned by the city and by others made it possible, for example, for Blacklist Artisan Ales to open up their taproom in the former Last Place on Earth space—transforming the character and vibe of the entire block.  These changes keep development dynamic and forward-thinking.

What's happening is more than just a feeling.  The numbers are real and exciting, too.  In the last several years, the city's population has grown, especially in the demographic representing 25-34 year olds. That demographic includes families, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals looking for work.  I'm encouraged by the growth--not just because it benefits my role as a networker and facilitator in helping entrepreneurs and businesses find the ideal spaces in our commercial real estate market.  I'm also encouraged because I'm a mom to college and teenaged kids and my husband and I have made Duluth our home for some time now, taking full advantage of everything the city has to offer our family. 

Our city is experiencing real commercial growth, with people taking more chances on starting their own small businesses.  Established businesses are growing smartly, taking advantage of the skilled workforce that also continues to flourish.  And families are putting down roots.  Those families and professionals are spending money downtown.  They're ethically and financially invested in bike lanes and revitalization.  They're lovers of art and nightlife.

It’s a great time to be a commercial broker with downtown listings.  The views are unparalleled in the city.  The business community is so supportive when it comes to new tenants.  The draw of great food, great entertainment, and the arts brings people downtown and keeps them there day or night.   When it comes down to considering the whole picture for placing a business, all of these things come into play.

As I drive around this city I call my office, I'm more encouraged than ever before about city growth, with our downtown being the epicenter and vital nexus of that growth.  I'm excited to put entrepreneurs in the middle of it all.  I feel a new energy as I take my place with others on the Greater Downtown Council board.  And, ultimately, I know that all of these pieces fit together in my family life as Duluth takes its place as a true destination for life.  And for business!  Let's get moving!

Shelley Jones is the founder and broker of Jones Group of Duluth.  She is also a board member of the Greater Downtown Council

Shelley Jones joins slate of new officers on Duluth's Greater Downtown Council

Shelley Jones

In a show of how important the Greater Downtown Council is to the community, the GDC held its annual meeting at the end of January with a sold-out audience.  With more than 300 members, The Greater Downtown Council (GDC) is a private, nonprofit corporation that exists to promote and support the development of a clean, safe and vibrant Downtown Duluth.

Among the new officers and board members approved at the dinner is Shelley Jones, founder of Jones Group of Duluth.  Shelley brings a wealth of insight and professional expertise to the mission of the GDC.  She also is a relevant stakeholder in the success of the GDC.

"The position is a wonderful opportunity for Jones Group to support local business endeavors and give back to the community," Shelley remarked after officially joining the GDC Board.  "Jones Group continually provides support, resources, energy and passion to reinforce and improve the foundation upon which Downtown Duluth resides. As a long-time Committee member and a newly appointed Board member, I am honored to be included with other business leaders and extraordinary companies supporting the Duluth community."

As a Duluth resident, business owner and commercial property professional, Shelley brings both personal and professional experience to this role.  Professionally, she has strong ties to a network of business owners and is committed to her work in high-quality commercial real estate that both empowers and strengthens local entrepreneurs and businesses.  Personally, as an engaged and active member of the community and the mother of three children, Shelley is a vital part of making Duluth a superb community for families.

For more information about the Greater Downtown Council, go to their website here.

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