A strong turnout of about 30 citizens at a roundtable Monday in Grand Rapids kicked off a series of Strong Towns weeklong community conversations across the Iron Range.

Strong Towns, a national nonprofit, is holding a series of community roundtable discussions and curbside chats from Grand Rapids to Aurora this week aimed at highlighting creative ways to build better places and create more job opportunities while utilizing community assets that already exist.

Grand Rapids residents told Strong Towns President Charles Marohn they’d like to make it easier to walk throughout the city’s downtown, improve downtown wheelchair accessibility, make the city even more attractive to business, and strengthen arts within the community.

Strong Towns held a curbside chat Tuesday night in Hibbing. Today, a panel discussion titled “Collaboration is Crucial” was held at Lyric Center for the Arts in Virginia. This evening, a curbside chat will be held at the Mesabi East High School auditorium from 6-8 p.m.

On Thursday, a noon to 1 p.m. panel discussion at the Lyric Center is focused on “Building a Strong Economic Development Ecosystem in Your Town,” followed by a 6-8 p.m. curbside chat at Mesabi Range College in Virginia.

All members of the public are invited to attend the events and participate in discussions about their community.

Based in Brainerd, Strong Towns advocates for a model of development that allows America’s cities, towns and neighborhoods to grow financially strong and resilient.

IRRRB and Blandin Foundation are co-sponsoring Strong Towns’ visit to the Iron Range.            

Learn more about the Strong Towns events on the Iron Range.

Do you have an idea for improving quality of life and the economy on the Iron Range? 

Are you already part of an existing initiative to do so and want to share your work and recruit new volunteers or members to your group or cause? 

Or maybe you want to get more involved with efforts to recharge Range communities and the economy but don’t know where to plug in?

Whatever your motivation, you’re invited to share ideas and take action at the upcoming Recharge the Range event on Monday, June 6, at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm.

The event is the fourth in a series of forums aimed at generating momentum around new and existing projects and ideas to help improve quality of life and diversify the economy of Iron Range communities. Community and business leader forums were held in February along with a Cool and Creative Get Together in April. 

This public session is open to anyone who wants to take part in shaping the future of the Range. 

The forum begins with networking and refreshments from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guest speakers and action group breakout idea sessions are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

IRRRB, ALLETE, and Range Association of Municipalities & Schools are hosting the forums. 

Registration for the forum is due by noon on Thursday, May 26.

Register for the forum.

NORTHFORCE, a regional talent initiative that aligns prospective employees with employers in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, has been recognized by Finance and Commerce as a Progress Minnesota Honoree.

Progress Minnesota awards encourage, promote and honor entrepreneurs and organizations across the state which have a significant impact on job creation, business development, and the overall economic health of the state.

NORTHFORCE is a website that at no charge connects companies in the region with qualified talent within and outside the region. Jobs in all industries at all levels are posted on the northforce.org website.

IRRRB, Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX), Northspan Group, Minnesota Power, City of Duluth, City of Superior, College of St. Scholastica, Wells Fargo Bank, and Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation support NORTHFORCE.

NORTHFORCE this year was also named the Economic Development Initiative of the Year by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota.

PHOTO: Randy Lasky, Northspan Group; Mark Berriman, Finance & Commerce; and Brian Hanson, APEX are pictured at the Progress Minnesota awards presentation at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis on April 7.

The GRIND, an off-road cycling event, is set for September 3 at Giants Ridge Recreation Area in Biwabik. 

GRIND, short for "Giants Ridge Iron N Dirt," is designed to test riders' skills as they wind through cross country trails, ski runs, snowmobile trails, and rugged mining roads.  

Both the long (35-40 miles) and short (15-20 miles) mountain bike race courses utilize the most scenic and challenging terrain on the Iron Range. Participants can expect tough climbs, fast descents, varied terrain with rocks, roots, creeks, and plenty of passing opportunities. 

The cyclocross race under the lights is a 30 or 45 minute race Saturday evening. The course will be incorporating the ski runs, double track, and more. There will be a mix of obstacles and trail set-ups to ensure no one bike has any advantage over another. Race organizers recommend the race as a great way to try the sport as a beginner or as an early pre-season race for the upcoming season.

Learn more about the GRIND.

If you enjoyed The Ranger, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest IRRRB news!