Before moving ahead with their dream of being able to help people, Scott Duffney and his wife Monica had to learn a new business.

Monica, who worked with Scott at the family’s picture manufacturing business, agreed to seek a job to learn the assisted living business. 

“She’s a very caring person and loves being able to help people,” said Scott Duffney, president of Rivers Edge Assisted Living & Day Services facility in Aitkin. 

With Monica’s passion and Duffney’s drive, the couple bought the former Aitkin County Armory, a stately 81-year old building in downtown Aitkin.

After two years of renovation, the stunning 41-unit assisted living facility adjacent to the Ripple River opened in October 2016. 

“We wanted to get into doing something that we knew a couple of our daughters, who are in the health care field, would like to do,” said Duffney, who also formerly owned a Twin Cities construction company.  “And in looking at the demographics of the country, it only made sense to get into something that was needed.”

The three-floor, 36,000 square-foot facility, which stands near the center of the city, now employs 18 full and part-time workers.

Duffney and family incorporated some of the former armory’s character into the new facility.  

Wood from the armory’s gymnasium bleachers was reclaimed, refinished and used as décor on the facility’s first floor walls. Wood from the former gymnasium floor is now the facility’s front desk.

A cross on the front of the building, which Duffney says represented hope and safety for soldiers who years ago went off to war from the armory, was retained.

“It’s been a big project with some hurdles,” said Duffney. “But this facility is really about the staff we have. They work hard and are really a great group of people.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a grant to the City of Aitkin to assist with infrastructure development. 

“It was a big help,” Duffney said of the assistance. “For a little guy, it was a huge help for us.”

Pictured above: The first floor hallway at the Rivers Edge facility features wood from the former armory as décor on the wall.

Learn more about Rivers Edge Assisted Living.

Biwabik Township broke ground on Monday, Oct. 9 on a new town hall and community center that will have social and gathering space for up to 140 people, a kitchen, township offices and storage.

Replacing the original town hall built in the 1950s was cost prohibitive. So with support from the community and a goal of no levy, Biwabik Township began planning for a new facility with a committee of its residents and help from architects and engineers.

Walter Hautala, town supervisor and planning committee member, recalled growing up in the community and using the old town hall for official business and meetings, social events and recreation. Hautala said he is thankful for the past and very excited for the future of Biwabik Township.

The township put forth the bulk of the funds, and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a $200,000 development infrastructure grant.

“One of the goals of our agency is to help area cities and townships fund development related infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “The agency was happy to financially support this new facility that prepares Biwabik Township for the future and serves the upcoming generations.”

Luke Soderling, planning committee member, said, “I am raising four boys in Biwabik Township where I grew up and am so happy that our community is investing in its future, especially in our youth.”

The new town hall and community center is scheduled to be completed in spring 2018. 

Cook Hospital and Care Center held an open house on Thursday, Oct. 12 to celebrate completion of Phase I of its $9 million care center addition and renovation. 

When fully completed the 18,000 square foot addition will include 28 private resident rooms, adult day services, a beauty shop, a residential laundry room, and a restorative gym – improving the quality of living for residents. The Care Center is now at full occupancy with a 22-person waiting list.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this project with a $200,000 development infrastructure grant. 

Cook Hospital and Care Center serves a rural/small town population of 10,253 in a radius of 2,500 square miles. The hospital has 24-hour emergency service, radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and cardiac rehabilitation.

Learn about job openings for nurses and other healthcare positions.

Rural communities need robust broadband to thrive in today's global world. Register today for the 2017 Border to Border Broadband Conference October 25 and 26 at Madden’s on Gull Lake in Brainerd. 

Connect with policy makers, economic and community development professionals, and community broadband champions who will share ideas to help rural Minnesota have access to convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks. 

Examples will be showcased of how rural communities have expanded broadband’s impact, leveraged investments, and are working to bridge the digital divide. 

Conference highlights include:

• Keynote speaker, Roberto Gallardo: Is Rural Minnesota Poised for the Digital Age?
• Northeastern Minnesota’s Aaron Brown: How Rural Broadband Can Change Lives 
• Blandin Foundation: Expanding the Impact with Cooperation
• Broadband Learning Stations: Bridging the Gaps – Expanding the Impact through Community-Provider Partnerships
• Learning Sessions: Broadband 101 and Digital Inclusion Showcase

The conference is hosted by Blandin Foundation with support from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and Minnesota Office of Broadband Development.

Learn more and register for the conference. 

“Start, grow and succeed.” 

The Incredible Ely Small Business Conference, set for Nov. 1 and 2 at Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Conference Center, will highlight ways to finance growth or start-up ventures, the latest trends in marketing, and unique ways to hire, train and retain employees. 

Keynote presenter Jim Bensen, an innovative leader of change and international speaker, will share how he spearheaded a venture called “Bemidji Leads!” which transformed Bemidji, Minnesota into a thriving epicenter in the western region of the state. 

Other conference topics will be change, technology, quality and innovation for small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

The conference is a collaborative effort among Incredible Ely, The University of Minnesota Duluth Center for Economic Development, The Entrepreneur Fund, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, Mesabi Daily News and PixelInk Creative Group. 

Learn more and register for the conference.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation has openings for the following permanent, full-time positions at its Eveleth administrative building:

General Repair Worker   

The general repair worker performs semi-skilled jobs in a variety of trade areas in order to maintain a clean, safe and operational facility. 

Learn more and apply online. Job ID number is 17239.

Application deadline: 10/23/17

Human Resources Director  

The Human Resources Director is responsible for the leadership and overall administration, coordination and evaluation of agency human resources. 

Learn more and apply online. Job ID number is 17164.

Application deadline: 11/1/17

For both positions, contact Kerri Dahl with questions at kerri.dahl@state.mn.us or 218-735-3009.

Equal Opportunity Employer