The learning center will employ an experienced and credentialed staff of up to 21 people. The teachers will utilize interactive iPads and whiteboards which can record the children’s progress and be used as a visual tool for parent conferences. Other uses of new technology include “BEAM” by Eyeclick, an interactive and educational system in the indoor gym. (Pictured)

“BEAM is a state-of-the-art projection screen with motion sensors that can transform any floor into an outdoor playground. It is a virtual playground that combines physical activity with educational fun,” said Brandie Folken, Brandie’s Little Bear owner and operator. “Inclement weather will never hinder how much physical exercise and activity our children have access to.”

Folken reported that the new center would not have been possible without the assistance of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, city of Eveleth, Cleveland Cliffs, United Way, Northland Foundation, DEED and Northern State Bank.

“A lot of organizations came together on this project, including Cleveland Cliffs which donated $50,000 for our outdoor playground,” said Folken. “This collaboration between the public and private sectors will provide great relief to parents in our region seeking quality child care.”

For more information about community development grants, email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Views of one of the region’s open pit iron ore mines located in Hibbing will re-open this month. After being closed for one tourist season while it relocated to a new vantage point, the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine View will offer the public a 360-degree viewing access of Hibbing Taconite’s mine operations and the historic city of Hibbing. Hibbing Taconite is one of six active mines in the region and employs approximately 735 people. Mining operations take place 24 hours per day, every day of the year.

The relocation was prompted by Hibbing Taconite extending its mine pit into an area that was primarily owned by the company. The previous mine view had been at that location for years, through a lease agreement with Hibbing Taconite. The city of Hibbing and Hibbing Taconite agreed to a land swap to accommodate both the new viewing area and some additional property for future mining.

The open pit site has long been referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the north.” It is a landscape that has been created over the past 120 years and covers 5,000 acres. It is eight miles wide east to west and 3.5 miles north to south. Since mining began in Hibbing in 1892, more than 1.4 billion tons of earth has been moved from the Hull Rust site, about the equivalent of digging a narrow tunnel from Minnesota through the center of the Earth, and out the side. Over 30 separate open pit and underground mines have operated on the site throughout the years.

The new mine view area is called “Windows to the World” and will have concrete box culverts to serve as windows to the views. Guests can see real-time equipment operations of Hibbing Taconite including two-story 240-ton production trucks, rotary drills and up to 42-cubic yard shovels. The new viewing area includes walking trails, interpretive signage, multiple viewing points, and a park where kids can climb on mining equipment artifacts. View drone video of new viewing area.

“The mine view is an opportunity to educate local residents and tourists about the significant impact that mining has in our region,” said Beth Pierce, Iron Range Tourism Bureau director. “Mining plays a huge role in how we live, work and play in northeastern Minnesota, and Hull Rust is one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations.”

In 2016, 29,458 people visited the prior mine view site, infusing an estimated $5.6 million into the region’s economy according to the city of Hibbing. The visitors came from 76 countries and 50 American states.

A temporary shelter for visitors and volunteer guides will likely be in place by Memorial Day. Future plans include a permanent building with a gift shop and educational programming. The viewing area is open daily Memorial Day through Labor Day, and admission is free.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this project with mining reclamation grants through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. Oher project partners include city of Hibbing, Hibbing Taconite (under Cleveland-Cliffs management) and Komatsu Mining Corporation. Email Jim Plummer or call him at 218-274-7006 for more information.

PHOTOS: Above right - Photo courtesy of Forterra; Above left - Photo courtesy of Andrew Lucia.

An online, mobile-friendly, interactive map of Iron Range artists and public art will be launched in October enabling users to search and discover area art locations and studios. Up to 100 artists in the region will be included and able to populate the map with their information such as location, product description, webpage and social media connections.

The project is part of Iron Range Tourism Bureau’s successful bid to become a Blandin Broadband Community (BBC). The tourism organization has access to technical expertise, planning assistance and financial resources to improve internet access and usage in its service area that spans from Hibbing to Hoyt Lakes.

A similar map concept was implemented by The Growler Magazine in partnership with Explore Minnesota. The “Land of 10,000 Drinks Map” is an interactive tool for visitors to find every brewery, winery, cidery and distillery in the state. With the Iron Range art map, users may search potters, sculptors, painters, weavers, glass blowers, chainsaw carvers, artisans, woodworkers, furniture builders, murals and art galleries.

“The map project was selected to further the connection between art and tourism,” said Beth Pierce, Iron Range Tourism Bureau director. “We are utilizing broadband to showcase our region’s arts and culture organizations which generate approximately $12 million in annual economic impacts.”

The map will be unveiled in October at the Rural Arts & Culture Summit in Grand Rapids, and will live online at Iron Range Tourism Bureau's website www.ironrange.org. Artists may click here to add their information to the map.

The BBC program is designed to advance broadband in rural Minnesota communities which is critical to economic development, education, workforce, health care and quality of life. It is a collaboration between Blandin Foundation, St. Louis County and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. According to Pierce, the map would not have been possible without the BBC broadband grant.

Aitkin and Grand Rapids

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Deputy Commissioner Jason Metsa and agency staff were "on the move" in Aitkin on May 3 (pictured) and Grand Rapids on May 14, the latest stops in a series of community visits and listening sessions. 

Thank you to the communities of Aitkin and Grand Rapids for the warm welcome!