Lamppa Manufacturing is a fourth generation producer of wood burning sauna stoves and cord-wood burning warm air furnaces. It is poised for significant growth, having received “2020 mandate” certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for its wood burning furnaces which have long been recognized both for their quality and environmental stewardship. Lamppa is the only furnace maker in the nation to have the certification for new emission standards scheduled to be implemented into federal law in the year 2020.

To accommodate its expanding operations, Lamppa will soon relocate into a new 9,000 square foot commercial building currently under construction in the city of Tower.

“Lamppa Manufacturing is embarking on a period of massive change,” said Garrett Lamppa, fourth generation wood-burning stove and furnace producer. “The new building is a significant step towards that change and growing the company to its full potential.”

Half of the building will be leased to Lamppa, and the remaining half of the new building is commercial space that Tower can lease to a new or expanding second business. Lamppa has been operating out of its current site in Tower since 1977, and the site could no longer accommodate the growing business.

“Lamppa is an excellent homegrown business on the Iron Range that supplies its products across the nation,” said Matt Sjoberg, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation executive director of development. “Economic development projects need entrepreneurs and innovators such as the Lamppa family to continue growing our communities and economy.”

According to Daryl Lamppa, third generation wood-burning stove and furnace producer, the company’s success is a result of his father’s (Herb) brains and his own (Daryl) sisu. Sisu is a Finnish term meaning grit, tenacity and succeeding against the odds. Saunas were originally introduced to the Iron Range by Finnish-Americans that immigrated to the region to work in the iron ore mines. Daryl’s grandfather, Richard Lamppa, began building saunas in the early 1900s, and as a child Daryl watched his grandfather and father test the stoves.

“We have not yet seen any other wood furnace in the market with the 2020 emission results,” said Daryl. “We have invested a lot of time and money to ensure our furnaces meet and exceed the new clean air standards, and we are thrilled to expand and remain in the same town in which Lamppa was founded over 100 years ago.” 

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this project with a development Infrastructure grant to the City of Tower and a business loan to Tower Economic Development Authority. Email Matt Sjoberg for details or call him at 218-735-3037.

Visitors to the new Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park are shopping and spending at nearby downtown businesses due in part to a grassroots sales and marketing campaign launched by a community volunteer group.

The Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Area Events Board is comprised of community members from the townships of Greenwood, Kugler, Vermilion Lake and Breitung and the communities of Soudan and Tower. The board organizes and promotes area events, and when the new state park opened in June the group devised a plan to attract the influx of new campers into their communities.

The board placed advertising banners at Tower’s entry and exit points, planned a park grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting, developed an online interactive area map, designed a community brochure, and printed and distributed coupons valid for $5 towards a purchase at any Tower or Soudan business.

“Business hasn’t been this good in 15 years,” said Randy Semo, owner of Good Ol’ Days. “The seats and tables in my restaurant are full with state park visitors especially on days with inclement weather. Visitors are redeeming the coupon and spending well beyond the $5 value.” 

The new state park is the first full-scale one opened since 1992. It preserved ten miles of undeveloped lakeshore and has 33 individual campsites, three group campsites that accommodate up to 50 people each, free WiFi connection, hiking trails, boat-in and drive-in campgrounds, a boat landing, and daily tours of the Soudan Underground Mine.

According to Explore Minnesota, tourism in the state is a $15 billion industry. The new state park in northeastern Minnesota is now a part of that economic engine.

“The park has had a strong summer season with many weekends full, and we are already booking for next year,” said Assistant Park Manager Dawn Voges. “The events board has done an excellent job drawing the park visitors into the nearby downtowns and enhancing the overall vacation experience in northeastern Minnesota.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the marketing project with a Culture & Tourism grant. Email Danae Beaudette for details or call her at 218-735-3022.

RELATED: Walking drift tours offered

See a mine the way the miners of yesteryear saw them. With help from a headlamp, hard hat, and tour guide, visitors can walk the rails inside the Soudan Underground Mine. 

Visitors will descend a half mile into the mine via a “cage” elevator, followed by a three-quarter mile walk in search of geologic clues that show the way to iron ore. This new “walking drift tour” will occur at 2 p.m. weekdays in September at the mine. Wear sturdy shoes and a warm sweater. 

Registration is not required; the cost is $20. The tour is for individuals 10 years of age and up. 

For more information on the new tour or traditional mine tours, call the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park at 218-300-7000. 

Visit the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park website.

Bridge Daze 2018 will be held on Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15.

Events are being held to celebrate the 1,100-foot bridge uniting the Quad Cities of Virginia, Eveleth, Mountain Iron and Gilbert, as well as the Mesabi Iron Range communities to the east and west of the bridge. A variety of community activities are planned to bring people of all ages together in fellowship and fun.

Things kick off Friday with an open house at the Virginia Senior Center to learn about United Taconite’s mining activities, visible on Highway 53.

On Saturday, the Lyric Center for the Arts‘ annual Volkswalk event will be held in the afternoon, followed by the Headlamp Hustle fun run/walk across the bridge at dusk.

Street music, bridge make-and-take crafts and more will be part of this fun day.

Register for either or both walking/running events. 

View the schedule of events.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation promotes and invests in regional business, community and workforce development through a selection of grant programs. These programs are currently accepting applications for the fiscal year 2019 funding cycle:

* Culture & Tourism – Assists with projects that support arts, culture, heritage and recreational activities.

* Application Fund – Assists with the costs of preparing and applying for a grant that can produce innovative economic growth.

* Mine Pit Lakeshore Enhancement – Assists with development and restoration of mine pit lakeshores.

Eligible applicants in the Taconite Assistance Area are encouraged to apply for one or more grants. Applicants can access the grants management system (FLUXX) by clicking here.

View the grant resources page.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation funds its grant programs through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.