IRRRB News - March 12, 2014
 The Office of the Governor Blog
The jobs bill Governor Mark Dayton proposed last month will make critical investments in infrastructure projects statewide, including key projects across Minnesota’s Iron Range – investments that will add value to our communities, and build on the momentum of our state’s growing economy. In total, the Governor’s bonding proposal would invest $986 million in infrastructure improvements statewide, creating 27,000 jobs.
Governor Dayton has recommended funding the following projects that will benefit communities across the Iron Range and northeastern Minnesota:
- Chisholm-Hibbing Airport
- Northern Heights Industrial Park
- Chalet at Giants Ridge
- Range Mental Health Center
- Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency
- Northeast Higher Education District
- Voyageurs National Park
Read the full blog entry for details on each project.
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 Iron
Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) recently re-launched the Made
on the Range website. The site, located at www.madeontherange.com, features
product and contact information for over 420 area businesses that produce, manufacture
and sell products in northeastern Minnesota. There is no charge for
participating businesses.
Originally launched in December 2011, the site
received a major facelift this past fall. The new site features a fresh, user-friendly
design and improved navigation and functionality. Response to the site has been positive with new businesses being added daily.
“We
are excited about the new site because it allows us to do an even better job of
showcasing our local businesses and their products,” said IRRRB Commissioner Tony Sertich. “I encourage
shoppers to check out the wide range of unique products and services that are
available.”
Major
product categories on the website include art and history, business, education, electronics,
home and garden, personal products, and travel and recreation.
Sertich
also stressed the importance of local buying to the regional economy. He said, “Local
buying helps create new jobs and economic growth. In fact, for each dollar
spent at a locally-owned Iron Range business, 68 cents of it remains in the
state and local economy.”
New businesses are
welcome. To be included, visit www.madeontherange.com and click on “Add
Your Business.”
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 Mesabi Daily News
VIRGINIA — Job seekers, take note: The annual Iron Range Job Fair will be a perfect time to learn about employment in the area and to practice job-hunting skills.
The 16th annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 18 at the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia. More than 50 area employers — many of which are hiring — will be there with exhibits and to meet with potential employees.
An “Iron Range Job Myths and Facts” presentation with Roy Smith will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon. It will dispel myths and offer tips on finding jobs on the Range. Panelists will be Tina Erickson of Cliffs Natural Resources; Trent Janezich from Advanced Minnesota for the Northeast Higher Education District; Kelly Hertling from Always There Staffing; and Charlotte Hanegmon, a Minnesota Workforce development specialist.
Read the full Mesabi Daily News article.
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 An exciting new collaboration to track economic prosperity will be rolled out soon. The inaugural Regional Economic Indicators Forum breakfast is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. Research findings on the economic climate in the northeast region will be presented. The event will be held at the DECC Harborside Ballroom at 7 a.m. Registration fee is $20.
National Bank of Commerce is presenting the event in partnership with the College of St. Scholastica (CSS), University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS), APEX, and Business North.
Toby Madden, regional economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will be the keynote speaker, followed by presentations by economic researchers from CSS, UMD and UWS.
The research will be ongoing and focusing on trends for a territory that covers 15 counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Specific economic indicators to be analyzed will include:
- Regional business confidence
- Regional consumer confidence
- Demographic trends
- Labor force employment and unemployment trends
- Key local industry sector economic activity
- Real estate, housing and interest rate trends
- Companies of local interest equity performance
Register for the forum.
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Hibbing Community College (HCC) will hold an open house on Thursday, April 10 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. HCC faculty, staff and students representing academic programs, admissions, student services, disability services and financial aid will be available to talk about programs and career options. There will also be campus tours, prize drawings and a light dinner for prospective students and families.
HCC website
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Giants Ridge is gearing up for its annual Spring Carnival on
Saturday, March 15 in Biwabik. This year’s
theme is “Beards & Staches, Bangs & Lashes.” Highlights of the day include music, food, a
costume contest and more. Watch boarders
and skiers jump (or land in) the slush at this end-of-the-season blowout.
Spring Carnival Schedule of Events
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The Ranger is a publication of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). Our mission is to promote and invest in business, community and workforce development for the betterment of northeastern Minnesota.
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