Local businesses that are diligently working to prepare and maintain their workspaces for COVID-19 will be recognized through the “Open for Business Pledge.” It is a new program to help customers and Iron Range communities identify businesses that are taking extra precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic including:

• Social distancing and use of personal protective equipment when and where practical.
• Increased cleaning, disinfecting and housekeeping efforts.
• Communications and training for managers and staff.
• Working only when healthy.
• Drop-off, pick-up and delivery of goods when possible.
• Welcoming all patrons in the Real Ranger way.

These best practices align with state guidelines on what businesses should be considering when developing their own COVID-19 Preparedness Plans.

Businesses located within Iron Range Tourism Bureau’s service area are eligible to sign the pledge and receive a free window cling to display at their business. The service area communities include Aurora, Biwabik, Buhl, Chisholm, Embarrass, Eveleth, Gilbert, Hibbing, Hoyt Lakes, Mountain Iron and Virginia.

“Several local businesses have signed onto the pledge as early adopters, and we hope to see many more join us,” said Hibbing Area Chamber President Vicki Hagberg. “It’s a great opportunity for businesses to show our residents and visitors from outside the region that we are open for business, safely.”

Vince Nelson owns Active Standard Drafting & Design in Hibbing and was one of the first businesses to adopt the pledge. “Due to the ongoing pandemic, we have changed our regular routines in a number of ways to ensure the safety and health of our clients,” said Nelson. “We have been cleaning and sanitizing our office after every visit, wearing masks and practicing social distancing at every site visit, and we've started actively promoting our use of online video chat and phone conferences for our consultations. Our clients have generally been very receptive to these changes and thankful that we are looking out for them.”

Moxie, a boutique in Hibbing, is taking time to fully reopen and prepare to operate safely. Owner Suzanne Rian said, “I’ll be slowly starting in-store appointment shopping beginning Wednesday, May 27 with CDC best practices in place. I’m encouraging customers to continue to utilize curbside and online options when possible, and I want to be able to give proper attention to those customers who choose to safely shop inside. I am committed to putting the health of our community first, and I have already received wonderful feedback from customers thanking me for being so prepared.”

Businesses may click here to learn more or register for the “Open for Business Pledge.” It requires the completion of a simple form. As more businesses sign on, the public will be able to view a list here of participating businesses.

The Open for Business Pledge was developed by the Iron Range Tourism Bureau and Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce with support from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Chisholm Chamber of Commerce and Laurentian Chamber of Commerce. Email Vicki Hagberg or call her at 218-929-0295 for more information.

Construction began last week on a pass through park located on the vacant lot of 418 Chestnut Street. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a Downtown & Business Corridor grant.

The park will assist traffic flow on Chestnut Street by offering a wide, clean, safe pathway from the city-owned First Street South parking lot to the downtown business area. The park will have bench seating, lighting, artwork and public Wi-Fi.

“We are transforming an unused small patch of land between two buildings into an appealing public space along the downtown corridor,” said Britt See-Benes, Virginia’s city administrator. “It signals to the community and the region that Virginia is committed to its ongoing investment into revitalizing its downtown.”

The park is scheduled to be completed in July. Other funding partners include Virginia Community Foundation and ReVive Virginia. For grant information email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004.

Pictured is a rendering of the Virginia pass through park. 

The city of Babbitt added a new entry sign to welcome tourists to its community.

Babbitt is anticipating an increase in tourism traffic with the development of a 22-acre campground complex with 49 new campsites at the Birch Lake Recreation Area. The campground is scheduled to be completed next year. The Recreation Area currently has a popular developed swimming beach, picnic area, beach house, public boat landing, two new docks, and boat cleaning area.

Birch Lake is 7,600 acres and 21 miles long with 80 miles of shoreline and several islands. It is one of the most heavily fished lakes in northeastern Minnesota and attracts outdoor recreation tourists and anglers from Minnesota, the United States and Canada. The new campground is expected to increase tourist traffic even further because it will be connected to new Prospector Loop ATV trail system and eventually to the paved Mesabi Bike Trail.

“A community’s welcome sign is an important marker,” said Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich. “It creates a sense of arrival and beautifies the gateway entry point. The new sign gives visitors a great first impression that we are proud of our community.”

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

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is sponsoring a virtual Memorial Day program in partnership with Twin Cities PBS-TPT. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic prohibits the live events traditionally held at the three state veterans cemeteries located in Little Falls, Preston and Duluth.

While a live event will not be held, the state veterans cemeteries remain open for visitors who are encouraged to follow the StaySafeMN order and limit groups to 10 or fewer.

“The COVID-19 pandemic requires a new approach to our traditional Memorial Day events,” explains MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke. "This year we will mark this special day in a new and different way, but with the same goal: to honor and pay our respects to Minnesota veterans who have passed.”

TPT created a 30-minute Memorial Day program entitled “Always Remember: A Minnesota Tribute to Veterans We’ve Lost” that will be broadcast across the state on TPT’s Minnesota Channel at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25 and on TPT2 Sunday, May 31 at 8 a.m. The program can also be live streamed online from the TPT website and on Facebook. The program will be rebroadcast on TPT several times throughout June and July and will also be available online after it premieres.

The program will include remarks from Gov. Tim Walz and Commissioner Herke, personal stories from both Gold Star mothers and veterans about those we have lost and honor on Memorial Day, as well as music and a rifle salute traditionally included in a live event.

About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five state veterans homes, MDVA helps eligible veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.