No secret to anyone who lives here - shipping plays a major role in the economy of the Northland. And that industry - and our area - is about to see a sizeable investment from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation recently announced $14 million in port development projects throughout the state. As the largest freshwater port in the world, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority stands to receive a significant portion of those funds. The Twin Ports will see $7.4 million of that funding - money being used to facilitate two different projects. Funding for all four projects throughout the state come from the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Port Development Assistance Program. Minnesota's share of the Port Development Assistance Program combines with federal, local, and private funding for a total ports construction program of $26.7 million. While each project will accomplish different, specific goals - working together, they will "improve the statewide freight transportation system that supports growing industry and business".