Superior Nano, a Two Harbors-based technology and manufacturing company, is adding a specialized processor to its equipment line that will exponentially increase production capability. The equipment purchase was aided by a loan guaranty from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation.

Superior Nano uses patent-pending technology to produce nano emulsion serums with botanicals such as birch and CBD for use in cosmetic, personal care and pharmaceutical applications. Superior Nano sells the serums directly to consumers, and to retailers and distributors for their private label brands. The company also partners with global cosmetic and personal care businesses to formulate and manufacture new products for worldwide distribution.

“The equipment will bring our production from bench-scale to commercial-scale,” said Brian Garhofer, Superior Nano CEO. “Nano emulsions are usually produced by the liter, but this new processor will enable us to produce thousands of liters at a time. This new technology does not exist in the marketplace, so what we are doing in Two Harbors is a major breakthrough in the cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical industries.”

According to Garhofer, natural botanical extracts such as birch have excellent bioactive properties for the skin, but many are unable to penetrate the skin barrier. The key is delivering them in a format that can effectively penetrate the skin barrier and reach the subdermal cell layer in order to receive the full benefits of the botanicals. This new technology formulates these ingredients into a clear, fast absorbing serum with a superb aesthetic feel and glide.

Superior Nano owners Brian Garhofer and Dr. Eric Morrison are Minnesota natives and founded the company in 2019. Garhofer has 30 years of experience in industries and startups in E-commerce renewable energy, agricultural services, computer maintenance and technology development. Morrison is the company’s Chief Science Officer and earned a B.A. in Chemistry from University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry/Inorganic Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University. Morrison has served in senior positions in research and development for companies such as 3M, Ecolab, Imation and Samsung Electronics. He holds more than 45 patents and has published numerous scientific papers.

The patent-pending technology being used at Superior Nano was developed by Dr. Morrison and represents a breakthrough in nanotechnology. It results in a product with high active compound concentrations that can penetrate the human skin in a way that is currently unattainable in conventional lotions, creams and serums. Formulations can be customized to specific ingredients and applications with an average particle size of less than 60 nanometers. According to Garhofer, Superior Nano can offer cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical companies a very distinct way to improve the efficacy of their products and differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

“The loan guaranty from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation is enabling us to implement our new technology into commercial style processing,” said Garhofer. “Dr. Morrison and I are eager to launch this new initiative and grow our company in northeastern Minnesota.”

Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for more loan guaranty information.

S&S Meats owners Stan & Dawn Hager utilized a series of BER grants to help upgrade their butcher shop in Grand Rapids. The grants helped them acquire new equipment including a freezer, cooler and refrigerated display cases. Their latest upgrade in progress is the purchase of a new smoker and interior lighting fixtures.

With the BER grant and their own private investment, the Hagers made improvements that significantly increased the aesthetics of the store’s interior. Thirty-two feet of well-lit energy efficient display cases improved the shopping experience and resulted in increased sales. (See" before and after" photos below.) The new equipment also lowered operating expenses by reducing overall energy consumption. When fully installed the high efficiency smoker is anticipated to double production capability. 

S&S Meats’ products include steaks and a large array of beef cuts, meat bundles at a discounted price, salmon, smoked meats, chicken, pork and 98 varieties of brats. Stan created his first brat type 40 years ago when he developed wild rice brats. Some of the current unique favorites are prime rib, Philly cheese, PB&J and blueberry/wild rice. S&S also sells specialty grocery items and provides services for smoking meats such as whole turkeys and processing wild game such as deer and bear. The store has two gas pumps for an added shopping convenience.

The Hagers have owned S&S Meats for 16 years and have been in the butchery industry for 40 years. Prior to their Grand Rapids location, they owned a meat shop in Cohasset. S&S Meats has six full-time and seven part-time employees. Click here to visit S&S Meats on Facebook.

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.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began earlier this year, small business owners began to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal assistance initiative issued in response to the economic impacts of the global health crisis. The PPP was a loan designed to help businesses keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis, and the loans could be issued by federally insured banks and credit unions.

American Bank was one of the local banks who could issue the PPP loans. It has nine branches across the Iron Range, and between April and August processed over 300 PPP loans totaling $62 million. American Bank and other local lenders helped sole proprietors, LLCs and corporations successfully apply for PPP loans that can potentially become forgivable if employee retention criteria are met and if the funds are used for eligible expenses.

“By the end of March most of our employees were working from home and responding to the needs of small businesses across the region. Some were longstanding customers, and some were reaching out to our bank for the first time due to the national crisis,” said Rob Marwick, American Bank CEO. “We collaborated with many other community banks to try and get help to all who needed it. We established new relationships with area businesses and solidified our existing customer relationships.”

In northeastern Minnesota, between April and August this year, over 125 lending institutions assisted with issuing over 2,360 PPP loans.

“Local businesses, with the help of local banks and credit unions, successfully accessed much needed federal assistance through PPP that kept people employed,” said Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “Businesses can also apply for additional assistance through a special loan program funded by our agency. Our region’s economy is comprised of strong businesses with strong leaders, and we are committed to helping them persevere through the COVID-19 challenge.”

To assist local businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, the Taconite Area Business Relief Loan Program was funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. It offers 2% interest loans of up to $40,000 that may be used as working capital or for any legal purposes. No repayment on the loans will be due for the first six months, followed by 60 payments of principal and interest. Applicants must intend to re-open if currently closed due to the pandemic. $1.4 million of the $5 million has been approved for lending, and over $3.6 million is still available. The program is administered by The Entrepreneur Fund. Click here for details or email Matt Sjoberg or call him at 218-735-3037.

Employers and colleges in northeastern Minnesota that are looking to hire or recruit are invited to to participate in a virtual job/career fair, hosted by the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training. The fair is slated for Oct. 27-29 from 10  a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

Companies will have access to talent at all levels for any number of jobs – virtually. Colleges will have access to potential students across seven counties in northeastern Minnesota.

This event will be held on Premier Virtual’s event platform. Registration deadline is Oct. 2. 

View the event flyer.

Register for the event. 

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation invests resources to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. Below are two grant opportunities:

Application Fund - Reimburses the costs of preparing and applying for a grant that will advance economic growth. 

Culture & Tourism - Assists nonprofits by supporting strong arts, culture, heritage and recreational activities to enhance the quality of life in the region and attract visitors. 

Applications for both programs are being accepted through Sept. 30. Eligible applicants in our service area are encouraged to apply for one or more grants.

Learn more and view grant guidelines.

Access the grant application portal (FLUXX).

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation funds its grants through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.

Pictured is a scene from Mesabi Musical Theatre's production of Matilda The Musical, which received a Culture & Tourism grant in 2019. 

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