Hibbing-based Midwest Aircraft Refinishing (MAR) expanded its operation and doubled its production capability by adding 10,000 square feet of new finishing space including a second paint booth. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided financing for the expansion through a bank participation loan.

The company’s location at Range Regional Airport in Hibbing makes it a convenient choice for its client base of private small engine aircraft owners and its largest commercial client, Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth. Over 90% of MAR’s clients are from out-of-state, and over 50% are from the nation’s coastal areas. It also has a significant amount of international clients from countries such as Germany, Australia, Brazil and Canada.

MAR provides complete restoration, damage repair and upgrade services to the exteriors and interiors of composite and aluminum aircraft including homebuilts, singles, twins, light jets and turboprops.

MAR was founded in 2010 by three former Cirrus employees: Kris Carlson, Ross Robillard and George Virnig. The men have Iron Range roots and close to 30 years of experience working at Cirrus. They obtained permission from Cirrus management to start an independent spinoff refinishing company. MAR is now a Cirrus Authorized Service Center, and the two companies share a strong business relationship. Cirrus builds new airplanes approximately ten times faster than MAR can refinish them, and that results in a healthy inventory of planes that will need refurbishing at least once in their lifespan.

“The new finishing space and second paint booth enables us to complete four planes per month instead of two,” said Virnig. “The demand for our specialized services is there and on a steady growth projection, between our private individual clients and our work with Cirrus. We’ve worked very hard to grow our reputation.”

The expansion is a boost to other local vendors that supply to MAR such as Fastenal in Hibbing and Auto Value Parts Stores in Virginia that supplies MAR all of its paint.

“The financing process with Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation was hassle-free and gave us access to a very low interest rate,” said Virnig. “Our operation brings money into the region, from all over the United States and the world. We provide full time jobs to about 12 people, and we are very proud to be a part of the Iron Range economy.”

Visit the Midwest Aircraft Refinishing website to learn more.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a Development Infrastructure grant in 2016 to the Chisholm Hibbing Airport Authority for infrastructure to support the Midwest Aircraft Refinishing expansion. New and existing businesses within the agency’s service area may be eligible candidates for financial assistance packages to help with buildings, equipment, infrastructure, site work and workforce development. Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for more information.

The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr expanded its raised observation deck by 400 square feet to enhance the guest experience. The sanctuary is 360 acres of forested land that is home to around 50 black bears and an abundance of other wildlife. It is the world’s only open classroom for observing wild American black bears. About 15,000 guests visit each season, May through September, to safely observe the bears in their native habitat.

“The deck expansion not only enables better viewing, it also allows for better photograph opportunities,” said Ross Coyer, American Bear Association board member. “Visitors will have a closer look at the many bear and cub behaviors such as playing, nursing, mating, climbing and interacting with each other.”

The sanctuary is owned and operated by the American Bear Association (ABA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is funded solely by private donations. The sanctuary is the home of a former logging camp that was founded in 1938 by Vince Shute to support his family. Bears quickly became attracted to the area due to the smells of the loggers’ food preparation and disposal. To prevent the bears from breaking into the loggers’ cabins and seeking a way to co-exist with the bears, Mr. Shute put food out in a 2.5-acre meadow which is now the public viewing area referred to as the “magic circle.” Bears have continued to visit the site ever since. Prior to his death in 2000 at the age of 86, Mr. Shute secured the bears’ future by donating the land for the formation of the ABA. Click here to read the full history. ABA’s mission is to promote peaceful coexistence through education and provide a safe place for adult bears and their cubs.

This project was supported by a Culture & Tourism grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. A portion of the grant also helped pay for grading of the sanctuary’s entry road, signage and education materials in the ABA Visitors Center in downtown Orr. Hundreds of private donations helped support the project, including one individual who matched up to $10,000.

Email Danae Beaudette for Culture & Tourism grant information or call her at 218-735-3022.

Range Recreation Civic Center (RRCC) in Eveleth is adding indoor cameras and monitors for spectators to better view the curling ice action. RRCC is a world class eight-sheet curling arena, event center and banquet facility owned by Curl Mesabi Curling Club.

The club hosts state, national and international bonspiel events each winter that draw curlers, their families and support staff to the region for several days at a time. The events give an economic boost to area hotels, restaurants and retailors. In addition, RRCC was selected to host the National Senior Men’s Curling Championships in 2023. The event will draw media and over 60 curling teams from around the country to the Iron Range for five days.

The club has over 300 adult and 70 youth members that participate in curling leagues throughout the winter. During the summer months, the facility is leased for meetings, weddings and community events. In 2017 the facility generated an estimated total of $2.4 million in economic activity in St. Louis County. (Source: University of Minnesota Extension economic impact analysis of RRCC, 2018)

This project was supported by a Culture & Tourism grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. Email Danae Beaudette for Culture & Tourism grant information or call her at 218-735-3022.

Purchasing a home can be exciting, challenging and costly.

USDA Rural Development assists low and very low income individuals and families obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas by providing payment assistance, which reduces the monthly mortgage payment and increases an applicant’s repayment ability. The amount of assistance is determined by the adjusted family income.

Income limits vary by county. Applicants must have an adjusted income that is at or below the limit for the county in which they want to purchase a home. For example, income limits that qualify as “low” for St. Louis County are:

• 1-4 person(s) household: $57,900.
• 5-8 people household: $76,450.

Down payments are not typically required, and loans can be repaid over 33 to 38 years with an interest rate as low as 1%.

“This program provides a path to homeownership for families living in rural areas who are unable to obtain financing anywhere else,” said USDA Housing Program Director Stephanie Vergin. “Increasing the home ownership rate in rural areas can help promote prosperity, which in turn creates thriving communities and improves the quality of life.”

Rural Development has three staffed offices within the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area. Contact the office serving your county and ask about the “Single Family Housing Direct Home Loan” program.

• 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).

Learn more about all of USDA Rural Development’s housing programs.