Fast, reliable and affordable broadband access in northeastern Minnesota is an economic necessity for businesses, homes and community and government institutions.

Large, small and home-based businesses rely on it. Entrepreneurs and telecommuters rely on it. Schools, colleges and online learners rely on it. Health care facilities and telemedicine rely on it. Almost every facet of daily life in 2020 relies on uninterrupted, high-speed internet. Without it businesses, schools, health systems and families become constricted to conduct both simple and complex tasks.

Currently most of northeastern Minnesota is considered either unserved or underserved by broadband service (view state broadband map). However major efforts are underway to overcome the most significant barrier, which is the high cost of deploying broadband infrastructure to rural communities. Beginning in 2015 Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation financially supported broadband infrastructure to households through two large grants to Clinton and Balkan Townships, and in 2019 through a grant to Aitkin County. In 2016 and 2019 the agency partnered with Blandin Foundation and St. Louis County to help fund the Blandin Broadband Communities (BBC) program to support initiatives in communities throughout the region. The BBC (still in action) spurs access to broadband and increases the number and sophistication of users across the region.

One hundred and one small projects resulted from BBC, everything from installing Wi-Fi on school buses, in parks and campgrounds; launching tourism apps; checking out portable hot spot devices at libraries; community websites; business technology centers and co-working spaces; feasibility studies to strengthen federal and state grant applications; and, donating refurbished computers to people. The 101 projects were geared to increase internet use because increased internet use drives private companies and rural co-ops to invest in broadband utility infrastructure. The providers responded and massive infrastructure projects have either occurred or are on the very near horizon. Private providers in the region include Paul Bunyan Communications, CTC, Frontier, Century Link, Mediacom, SCI Broadband, Mid Continent, NESC, Consolidated Telephone, True North Broadband, Zito Media, HughesNet, ViaSat, Emily Telephone Cooperative, Cooperative Light & Power, and Arvig. Pictured above: Broadband infrastructure construction, Keewatin.

“Broadband is fundamental to economic development in rural Minnesota,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “Our region’s exceptional outdoor recreation is a major quality of life draw for people wanting to relocate here. High-speed broadband enables people to live rural and work remotely for employers around the world. It allows businesses in our area to expand and compete. It allows our youth to learn online with colleges across the country.”

Pictured above: Sen. David Tomassoni speaks at a Balsam town hall meeting celebrating the award of a state border-to-border Infrastructure grant to Paul Bunyan Communications to serve portions of eastern Itasca County.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation has been investing in broadband since 2015. Two recent announcements emerged regarding the advancement of broadband in northeastern Minnesota, and the agency has been instrumental in their progress either through gap funding or community facilitation. (See the following two articles.) 

Gov. Tim Walz announced last month 30 new border-to-border broadband grants. The projects will bring high-quality broadband access to underserved and unserved areas of Minnesota, providing fast, reliable internet access for more than 10,900 businesses, homes, and community anchor institutions. Grants within portions of the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area include:

• Bois Forte Tribal Government (Nett Lake, Palmquist, Indian Point and Vermilion): $1.2 million.
• Emily Cooperative Telephone Company (Esquagamah Lake and Round Lake areas of Aitkin County): $376,000.
• Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (Farm Island and Nordland Townships in Aitkin County): $1.2 million.
• Paul Bunyan Communications - North Central Minnesota (Leech Lake Indian Reservation and rural portions of Cass, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis counties): $2.5 million.
• SCI Broadband (Glen Township in Aitkin County): $195,848.

Click here to read the full press release.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it has invested $11 million in three, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-connectivity for more than 1,395 rural households and nearly 120 businesses throughout several counties in Minnesota and northern Iowa. A major portion of this funding is being invested here in northeastern Minnesota.

CTC will use the $5.2 million ReConnect Program grant from USDA to construct a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network of up to one gigabit of symmetrical high-speed internet to nearly 700 homes and public facilities in portions of Cherry and Great Scott townships. The funded service area includes 667 households, two educational facilities and two critical community facilities in St. Louis County.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, in partnership with Blandin Foundation and St. Louis County, helped fund a feasibility study, which engaged community leaders, residents and potential broadband providers on solutions to address the critical need to improve broadband infrastructure in the Cherry Township area. The study was instrumental in strengthening the USDA grant application.

Click here to read the full press release.

Keeping up with home repairs can be challenging and costly, especially for low income people.

USDA provides loans directly to homeowners in eligible rural areas with very low incomes to help with essential repairs, improvements or modernizations to their homes. The maximum loan amount is $20,000, and it can be repaid over 20 years with a 1% interest rate. Income limits vary by county. For example, income limits that qualify as “very low” for St. Louis County are:

• 1-4 person(s) household: $36,200.
• 5-8 people household: $47,800.

USDA also provides grants directly to elderly homeowners 62 years or older with very low incomes to help remove health and safety hazards or make improvements for disabilities. The maximum grant amount is $7,500 and requires no repayment. Adjusted income limits that qualify as “very low” for St. Louis County are:

• 1-person household: $15,200.
• 2-person household: $17,400.
• 3-person household: $19,550.
• 4-8 people household: ranges from $21,700 to $28,700.

Rural Development has three staffed offices within the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area. Contact the office serving your county to learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

• Virginia office: 218-741-3929 ext. 4 (serves St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties).
• Baxter office: 218-829-5965 ext. 4 (serves Aitkin and Crow Wing counties).
• Bemidji office: 218-751-1942 ext. 4 (serves Itasca county).

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation invests resources to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. The Culture & Tourism grant program will accept applications March 2-31, 2020. The program assists nonprofits by supporting strong arts, culture, heritage and recreational activities that enhance the quality of life and economy.

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 grant programs through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.

Pictured: Deerwood splash pad, a past Culture & Tourism grant project. 

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

Loan Officer Supervisor

This position oversees the delivery of the agency's Business Development programs. Additional duties include:

• Direct, monitor, evaluate and report on all aspects of the agency's business development program.
• Monitor and maintain the agency's loan portfolio.
• Administer, coordinate and develop the agency's activities related to business development under guidance of the Executive Director of Development. 

Learn more and apply online.

Job ID number is: 38691

Contact Barbara Sanders with questions at barbara.sanders@state.mn.us or 218-735-3027.

Application deadline: 3/6/2020

Equal Opportunity Employer