Small Iron Range businesses will learn about technology and social media strategies that can help grow business at a Thursday, May 11 forum at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm.

“Entrepreneurs on Tap” is the first of at least three small business forums to be scheduled by the “Recharge the Range” Small Business Strategies action group.

The 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. forum, titled “Technology & Social Media to grow your business,” features a panel discussion led by Anna Anderson of Art Unlimited in Angora.

Three successful small businesses, represented by Mike Larson of Kondos Outdoors in Ely, Karin Woodman of 24hr Bookkeeper in Hibbing and RaeAnne Conat of Swanky Sweet Pea in International Falls, will be panelists. 

The forum is an initiative stemming from four large “Recharge the Range” forums held in 2016. 

“Cultivating and growing networks of like-minded small business owners is critical to our region and was a major need expressed in the Recharge the Range forums,” said Shawn Wellnitz, Entrepreneur Fund chief executive officer and a Recharge the Range Small Business Strategies action group host. “It’s also important to highlight the success stories at this event, so that other small business owners and entrepreneurs see what is possible in the region.”

Three primary themes aimed at helping small Iron Range businesses emerged from the large Recharge the Range forums: 

- Strengthen and expand entrepreneur networks.
- Create and communicate a new narrative about entrepreneurs on the Iron Range.
- Connect and improve direct resources for entrepreneurs.

It’s hoped that up to 60 small business owners will attend. 

“The Iron Range has a host of talented small business owners and innovative people,” said Wellnitz. “Connecting them with other business owners, resource providers, and fostering their growth is a critical first step with this event.”

Register for Entrepreneurs on Tap. 

In February, the Chisholm Downtown Revitalization Committee was awarded a $50,000 grant from the IRRRB Downtown and Business Corridor Grant Program for tangible revitalization projects, impacting the topography of the downtown.

Committee members are now ready to unveil the components of the project to the residents of Chisholm. The project centers around the following five mini-projects: 

• Pocket Park: newly established park in the heart of the downtown 
• Kiwanis Park: improvements to electrical and safety upgrades, new drinking fountain, plants and shrubbery, decorative fencing, historic walking tour 
• Historic Walking Tour: audio and visual history of Chisholm
• Storefront Restoration: improvements to the storefronts in the downtown area
• Bicycle Infrastructure: three artistic bike racks, new restroom facility

The unveiling will be held on Tuesday, April 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Chisholm Public Library. Residents are invited to come and learn about the improvements and how to get involved with the effort. 

Visit the Chisholm Downtown Revitalization Project's Facebook page.

Email for more information.

Entrepreneurs and business owners from throughout the Twin Ports and northeastern Minnesota will be recognized at the 25th Annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards luncheon. The luncheon is set for Wednesday, April 26 at 11:30 a.m. at the DECC Lake Superior Ballroom in Duluth. 

The awards program, which is run by the UMD Center for Economic Development, features the following award categories: Micro Entrepreneur, Emerging Entrepreneur, Established Entrepreneur, Mature Entrepreneur and Environmentally Engaged Entrepreneur. A record high 75 entrepreneurial businesses were nominated for this year's awards.  

Complete listing of nominees.

The deadline to register for the awards luncheon is Friday, April 21. 

Registration information.

Major event sponsors are National Bank of Commerce, maurices, Flint Group, Cutting Edge Metals, Duluth News Tribune, Entrepreneur Fund, Greenfield Communications, IRRRB, KBJR 6, Minnesota Power, Minnesota Business Finance Corporation, and U.S. Small Business Administration. 

The 90th Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Conference will be held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center April 17-19. 

With more than 1,000 attendees and an expansive exhibit hall featuring more than 200 exhibitors, the conference has become an industry staple. The 2017 SME Minnesota Conference feature a progressive program theme, discussing the impacts of global economies on local economic growth and development. The program also features key industry thought leaders providing insight, analysis and practical applications on how to improve growth and development no matter the economic state of the industry.

Learn more about the conference.

Giants Ridge in Biwabik will hold an Easter Champagne Brunch on Sunday, April 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the new chalet. 

The brunch will feature breakfast and lunch items, carvings, salads, sides, desserts and beverages. Cost is $26 per person; $12 for children under 12. Prices do not include tax. Reservations are required; call 218-865-8061​.

View the complete menu.

In addition, a free Easter egg hunt will be held at 10 a.m. adjacent to the new chalet. Children ages two to six are welcome to participate.