People with and without disabilities will be gaining additional job opportunities at a new Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) manufacturing facility.

The IRRR Board Tuesday in St. Paul approved a $1 million loan and $350,000 infrastructure grant to help MDI build a new $4.7 million, 35,000 square-foot facility in Hibbing.

The new facility allows MDI to increase job opportunities, improve working conditions and expand its business of making plastic totes and trays. 

“We’re a partner with entities like IRRRB and Blandin Foundation to provide employment on the range,” said Peter McDermott, MDI president and chief executive officer. “Making plastic totes products and trays is a means to an end for us.”

The new energy efficient facility will be built on a 10-acre site along Highway 37 west of Range Regional Airport. It replaces a roughly 100-year-old, 18,000 square-foot facility in downtown Hibbing that previously housed a grocery store and the Greyhound bus station. 

“It’s going to be almost twice the size, much more efficient and will provide employees with better working conditions and the room to expand jobs,” said McDermott.

MDI currently employs about 83 at its Hibbing facility, including 57 permanent employees and 26 temporary contractors. 

Over the next 10 years, MDI is projected to add 100 full-time equivalent jobs for persons with and without disabilities at the new plant. 

Read the full MDI article.

National Women’s History Month in March 2017 honors women who have successfully challenged the role of women in business and the paid labor force.

Across northeastern Minnesota, businesswomen and women who work in a variety of private and public occupations are every day leading communities, companies, educational institutions, and local organizations.

In March, we honor the women of northeastern Minnesota who serve as local, statewide and national elected officials.

We honor those who work as engineers, environmental managers, as information technology specialists, as business administrators, on public boards, and those who serve their communities.

We honor women who each day provide public service, those who lead local businesses, those who hold leadership roles and care for people in the health care industry, and those who administrate and teach in our area schools.

And we honor those who lead civic organizations, business and tourism groups, and those who serve their families.

Thank you women of northeastern Minnesota for your work and contribution to our region’s quality of life.

The NORTHFORCE team announces the launch of their brand new website, www.northforce.org. 

The original job posting platform has been completely redesigned and it will now be easier than ever for job seekers to connect with area employers. A comprehensive resource for anyone interested in living and working in northeastern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, the new site has advanced capacities to match job seekers with employers. 

NORTHFORCE is a community initiative aimed at attracting and retaining talent in the Northland. A collaboration overseen by APEX (Area Partner for Economic Expansion) and The Northspan Group, NORTHFORCE actively makes it possible for people to find work locally.  

For one NORTHFORCE candidate, Jared, that meant locating a position in his field of interest that would allow him to stay on the Iron Range. Through NORTHFORCE, Jared was able to access in-depth knowledge of the career climate, craft an effective resume, and identify positions that would be a great fit for him. Now employed in Cook and living in Chisholm, here’s what he had to say about his job search experience:

“When I was looking for a job, NORTHFORCE was my go-to. The filter features available on northforce.org made sure that I was seeing the jobs I needed to, as someone who didn’t want to leave the area.”  

With the new site complete, NORTHFORCE looks forward to facilitating further job networking on the Iron Range. Job seekers and employers can register online at www.northforce.org or email the team at info@northforce.org for more information.

The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2017 Annual Dinner at the new Giants Ridge chalet in Biwabik on Friday, February 24.

With more than 340 people in attendance, the evening, titled "Connecting Communities and Moving Business Forward," was filled with networking and fun.

As part of the evening's ceremonies, Cliffs Natural Resources and American Bank were honored as "Businesses of the Year." Dave Lislegard, of Lakehead Constructors, received the "Outstanding Community Leader" award. 

The evening was capped off by entertainment from the Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos. 

"From the initial planning stages to the event itself, the Giants Ridge staff went above and beyond to ensure the Laurentian Chamber Annual Dinner was an overwhelming success," said Jaimie Niska, president and chief executive officer of the Laurentian Chamber of Commerce. "It was a wonderful celebration of community!" 

Starting today, the second round of applications for two IRRRB grant programs opens. Applications are being accepted for the Application Fund and Culture and Tourism grant programs. 

The Application Fund program provides grants to non-profits, cities, townships and collaborative organizations to help reimburse the cost of preparing and applying for a grant that advances economic growth within the IRRRB service area. 

The Culture and Tourism program supports capital improvement, historic preservation, community arts and culture, tourism and recreation, hospitality and customer service training, marketing and promotion, and improvements to quality of life. 

Applications for both programs are due March 31.

Get additional information.