Deerwood Technologies owner Jim Mayne utilized a Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant to help renovate the office of his IT cybersecurity business in downtown Deerwood. The grant assisted with energy efficiency improvements to the entry doors, windows, interior lighting, insulation and HVAC system.

Mayne founded Deerwood Technologies in 2005 and purchased the downtown building in 2011 after renting space there for several years. The company has six full time employees, several contractors and provides IT cybersecurity, cloud and infrastructure services to commercial businesses, government agencies and schools. Its clients are concentrated in the Midwest and have included: Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Department of Justice, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and numerous cities, counties and hospitals throughout Minnesota.

With the BER grant, a Small Cities Development Program grant from the city of Deerwood and his own private investment, Mayne made the needed improvements to create a more energy efficient and attractive work space for employees. The investment reduced the company’s utility expenses, and they received electricity rebates from Minnesota Power’s Energy Insight program.

“The BER grant made the energy improvements financially viable. We would not have been able to undertake the renovation without it,” said Mayne. “The improved and modernized office created a much better work environment for our existing employees, and it will help with new employee recruitment in the future.”

Mayne is a United States Navy veteran, and Deerwood Technologies is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. Click here to learn more about this growing company.

Since BER’s inception in 2013, over 350 grants have been awarded to help small businesses with energy efficiency upgrades that can result in reduced utility bills, improved building aesthetics and increased building life. The program is funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and administered through a partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). To learn more email Vince Meyer at AEOA or call him at 218-735-6828.

The roadway and infrastructure along the entrance points to the Midway area were reconstructed as part of a large improvement project to U.S. Highway 53. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the Midway Drive upgrades with a Community Infrastructure grant.

Realignment of Highway 53 began several years ago and included construction of the Tom Rukavina Memorial Bridge and relocation of the access to city of Virginia’s downtown area due to mining activities. Midway Drive and its infrastructure were deteriorating and in need of repairs. Virginia opted to reconstruct the area in conjunction with the larger MNDOT projects occurring.

The water and sewer mains and storm sewer were replaced, and improvements were made to the intersections and accesses to Highway 53 that helped alleviate traffic congestion.

The Midway area has approximately 1,000 residents, several businesses and a commercial development parcel. It also neighbors the future site of Rock Ridge Career Academy that is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in 2023.

“The agency’s investment into infrastructure helped create foundational assets that are essential for communities to grow and prosper,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “Over the next several years the Midway area will have increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to the new school and potential business development. Roads and infrastructure are the basic building blocks for that type of growth.”

Total project investment was $2.1 million which included $1 million from Minnesota Department of Transportations’ Local Road Improvement Program, $600,000 from city of Virginia and Virginia Public Utilities Commission, and a $240,000 Community Infrastructure grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. For grant information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Grand Rapids Independent School District 318 began the school year with two new elementary schools that each serve about 750 kindergarten through fifth grade students. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with an Iron Range School Collaboration Bricks & Mortar grant.

The construction of East Rapids Elementary and West Rapids Elementary and the remodel of Cohasset Elementary were part of an initiative that began in 2017 to address space issues in the district’s elementary schools. All three schools opened for classes on Sept. 8.

“The space shortage in our elementary schools had hit crisis proportions, in part due to every-day kindergarten programming” said Matt Grose, ISD 318 Superintendent.  “Approximately 20% of the elementary instructional spaces were located in portable classrooms even after fifth grade students were moved to Robert J. Elkington Elementary School.”

Grose explained that classrooms in the elementary schools were too small based on state standards, and there was no breakout space. Students and teachers were using hallways, library aisles and converted storage areas for group, individualized and specialized education. The new schools have updated classrooms and flexible spaces so that teachers may provide instruction in small groups or to engage in individualized learning sessions.

The old elementary schools also had limitations for student pick-up and drop-off that created unsafe conditions for buses, students and parents that forced parking on city and surrounding neighborhood streets. The congestion created barriers for residents accessing their homes.

A comprehensive examination of the overall space needs, cost effective solutions, land availability and community growth projections propelled the district to move forward with the two new buildings and Cohasset renovation. District 318 serves over 4,000 students and encompasses 2,200 square miles with eight schools and learning centers in Bigfork, Cohasset and Grand Rapids.

“Schools impact not only the academic and future achievement of our youth, they also have significant impacts on the livability of our communities and health of our economy,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “Strong schools can help our region attract new residents and new businesses. Schools are often the top consideration when businesses and people are considering a relocation into a region.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $4.7 million Iron Range School Collaboration Bricks & Mortar grant through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. The Grand Rapids area voted and passed a bond referendum in a 2018 special vote to help pay for the new and remodeled schools.

For more Iron Range School Collaboration Bricks & Mortar grant information email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004.

For over 85 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has been making a difference in local communities. Their employees are an important part of that.

Blue Cross is currently hiring for positions in Customer Service and looking for people who believe in making a positive impact. Classes begin on Oct. 5 and Nov. 16.

If you are interested in joining their team, visit careers.bluecrossmn.com to apply.

Minnesota Housing’s Fix Up Loans from $2,000 to $50,000 are available through local banks to improve owner-occupied single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes. Repair, remodel and energy saving projects are eligible including:

• General home repairs: porches and decks, bathroom or kitchen remodel, finishing a basement, siding and roofing, mold and radon mitigation, garage.
• Energy efficiency improvements: heating system and central air conditioning, windows, insulation, attic air sealing, water heater.
• Accessibility improvements: ramps, house accessibility modifications, safety modifications.

Secured and unsecured loan options are available, and repayment terms are up to 20 years for lower monthly payments. Home improvements may be done by a professional contractor or by the homeowner. There are minimum credit score requirements, and the income limits are up to $137,200 combined per household.

Northern State Bank in Aurora is one of the local lenders. Branch Manager Anthony Sarago explained that the bank takes on the lending piece, and Minnesota Housing purchases the loan from the bank.

“Our bank will help people complete the loan application and loan closing,” said Sarago. “This is a great program for a wide variety of home improvement projects, including DIY projects. The income limits are higher for the general home repairs, and there are no income limits for the energy efficiency and accessibility projects.”

View complete lists of eligible projects for secured and unsecured Fix Up loans and for  energy and accessibility improvements.

Fix Up is a program by Minnesota Housing, a state agency that works with local lenders to provide affordable home improvement loans. Click here for more information. Click here to find a nearby participating lender.