The city of Gilbert is rehabilitating its wastewater treatment facility and adding advanced components for treating mercury. Phase 1 will be completed this November, and the second and final phase will be completed in November 2020. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided two Community Infrastructure grants to support the project which replaces an outdated and deteriorating system.

The project began in 2018 and created 77 full-time equivalent construction jobs. When completed, the new treatment system will meet the state mandated mercury limits into the Lake Superior watershed.

Wastewater collection and treatment are essential services for the 1,800 residents of Gilbert, as well as for 1,700 Fayal Township residents that receive sanitary sewer services from Gilbert. 

“Gilbert undertook a very important project that protects the public health of its community and the environment,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “The city formed a financial leveraging package that tapped into several funding partners. Their work on this project is an excellent example of smart leveraging that promotes economic growth and enhances livable communities.”

Other funding partners include the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority that provided $6.64 million from the Point Source Implementation Grant Program, a $122,444 grant from the Clean Water Revolving Fund, and a 20-year $4.96 million 1% loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund that will save taxpayers $847,204 compared with the cost of a conventional loan. In addition, Gilbert secured a $100,000 grant from the St. Louis County Community Development Block Grant Program.

Gilbert is making other visible improvements to its community including enhancements to the 57-unit Sherwood Forest Campground adjacent to Lake Ore-Be-Gone. The campground reaches full capacity most of the camping season and will soon have a new Trailhead Hub that caters to the Mesabi Bike Trail and the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area. The Sherwood improvement plan is supported by a Mining Reclamation grant from the agency and also includes expanded campground utilities and parking lot improvements for the beach area. Other city improvements on the horizon include a comprehensive city road renovation project that is supported by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

“The city of Gilbert is doing an excellent job at leveraging available funds to preserve its assets,” said Phillips. “The projects the city is tackling improve the quality of life for its residents and attract visitors to our region. Gilbert is growing the region’s economy and tourism industry.”

Pictured above: completed liner installation during the construction phase, wastewater treatment control building and an aerial view of Gilbert, Sherwood Campground and Lake Ore-Be-Gone. 

The award-winning outdoor walking play production “Nature” will be at Ely’s Hidden Valley Recreation Area Aug. 22-25, 2019. “Nature” is about the 30-year friendship between American literary icons Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Emerson, the prominent 19th century essayist, and Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, shared a belief that nature is a source of spiritual respite and renewal. The play was written by a direct descendant of Emerson, actor Tyson Forbes. Forbes stated, “Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau were authors, friends, and radicals of their time, calling on their peers to think for themselves, live more deeply, and be agents of change. I believe their words and ideas are as relevant and necessary now as they were then, and I am thrilled to be able to share this story of their friendship and history.”

Actors and musicians from Ely and the Minneapolis area will comprise the cast and chorus, some of whom are Guthrie performers. The scenes will be set in four locations among the forest and fields at Hidden Valley. The audience will walk short distances between each setting and follow the ensemble through the natural landscape. Bagpipes, ancient flutes, drums and choral arrangements are incorporated into the script which garnered “The Best in Twin Cities Theater” acclaim by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“Nature” has been performed at Emerson’s Massachusetts homestead, at Walden Pond, in the Twin Cities, and a total of over 20 parks and arboretums nationwide. Tickets available here.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported “Nature” with a Culture & Tourism grant to Ely Folk School.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation invests resources to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. The following grant programs are accepting applications in September for the fiscal year 2020 funding cycle:

• Application Fund – Assists communities and nonprofits with the costs of preparing and applying for a grant that can produce innovative economic growth.
• Culture & Tourism - Assists nonprofits by supporting strong arts, culture, heritage and recreational activities that enhance the quality of life and economy.
• Drilling Incentive (DIG) - Assists with exploratory drilling for new metallic minerals and/or new deposits of minerals within the Taconite Assistance Area.

We encourage eligible applicants in our service area to apply. Click here to learn more and view the grant guidelines. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation funds its grants programs through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.

Deputy Commissioner Jason Metsa and agency staff will be "on the move" in Eveleth on Thursday, Aug. 22,  the latest stop in a series of community visits and listening sessions.

They will tour business and community development projects, followed by an 11 a.m. listening session at BoomTown Woodfire, which is open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

Photo: Paul Pluskwik