IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips has filled two top agency positions. Mary Finnegan is the agency's deputy commissioner, and Joe Radinovich is the assistant commissioner. "I am pleased to have Mary and Joe on board," said Phillips. "Their experience and expertise will serve them well in their new roles." 

Pictured left to right: Radinovich, Phillips, and Finnegan

Mary Finnegan

Finnegan will implement the policies of Gov. Mark Dayton, Commissioner Phillips and the IRRR Board. She also will work to ensure the agency adopts a comprehensive and holistic approach towards delivering services and creating jobs.

She said, "I most look forward to working with our staff, board and the broader business community to find innovative, creative and transformational ways to better diversify the Range economy."

Most recently, Finnegan worked as a grant administrator for the University of Minnesota Duluth. She has an extensive background in higher education and has also worked for state and local governments, school districts, and non-profits as a grant writer and outreach coordinator.

Finnegan also has worked at the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) as a business developer and with Cuna Mutual Brokerage Services as a financial advisor, where she was awarded a “Woman of Distinction” honor. 

She has a B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a certification as a legal assistant. She and her husband have one child, Daniel, who lives and works in Washington D.C. They also have an old and blind "forever young" rescue dog named Beautiful Betty. Finnegan's interests include: reading, gardening, watching classic movies, repurposing antiques that contain superior craftsmanship, and volunteering with and helping vulnerable adults.

Joe Radinovich

As assistant commissioner, Radinovich will focus heavily on legislative and policy affairs in St. Paul. This is a natural fit for the former legislator who served District 10B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He also will dedicate much of his time to community outreach throughout the agency's service area. 

Radinovich is passionate about the region, because his great grandfather, grandfather and uncle all mined on the Cuyuna and Mesabi Ranges. He said, "I am looking forward to helping diversify the economy of northeastern Minnesota, while advancing projects that utilize the region's abundant natural resources." 

He attended Macalester College where he studied English and Political Science. He is a member of the Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce, and McGregor Area Chamber of Commerce and has previously served on the Crow Wing County and (former) Senate District 4 Democratic-Farmer-Labor Boards. In his free time, Radinovich enjoys spending time with his family and a variety of outdoor activities including: mountain biking, skiing, running, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

At its Feb. 10 meeting in St. Paul, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) approved a major broadband investment and an increase to the Giants Ridge Event Center budget. 

Clinton Township on behalf of Northeast Service Cooperative (NESC) and Frontier Communications received a $1.5 million grant for a $4.34 million broadband expansion project. The project entails providing direct broadband connections to 30 townhalls/firehalls and 877 households in 20 townships across the IRRRB service area. It is projected that 28 construction jobs will be created.

Remaining project funding was secured by NESC, Frontier, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Earlier this week, DEED awarded the project a $1.96 million grant from the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. 

An increase of $1.6 million to the Giants Ridge Event Center budget also was approved. The IRRR Board approved an original expenditure of $6.1 million for a new event center, in combination with $3.8 million from the 2014 Minnesota State Bonding Bill. Construction bids were opened in January with the lowest bid being $1.6 million over the projected construction budget estimate. 

Commissioner Mark Phillips appeared on the Jan. 30 edition of Almanac North on WDSE-WRPT. He spoke with co-hosts Dennis Anderson and Julie Zenner about several issues facing the agency and region. 

Click on the image to hear Phillips discuss how his business and finance background will help him bring a business sector perspective to the agency's role in economic development. 

A new session of the Mountain Explorers Spring Ski and Board Camp is being offered at Giants Ridge in Biwabik. Beginners and intermediate level skiers and boarders can improve their skills, explore the mountain and have tons of fun with professional instructors. The three-session program is slated for March 1, 8 and 15. New this session is a Black Diamond ski group for more advanced skiers. The camp is open to skiers ages 7-14 and boarders ages 8-14. 

Learn more about the camp.

Giants Ridge also will run a Souper Sunday Nights Skiing Food Drive. Participants who bring in two non-perishable food items for the local food shelf will save 35% with $10 lift tickets and $10 rentals from 4 to 8 p.m. The promotion runs on Sundays from Feb. 22 through March 15.

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