“Since making the renovation and improvements to the building, I have received an uptick in service calls and inquiries,” said Riendeau. “The building’s appearance was dramatically improved, and people began to notice the investment we were making to our company and to the community.”

The building had four existing overhead doors, and only three were in use. The BER grant enabled putting all four back in use and enlarging one of them to accommodate the entry of industrial trucks and equipment. The building improvements increased operational efficiencies, and the company’s utility expenses are anticipated to decrease.

Commercial Asphalt Repair has five full-time employees and up to 12 seasonal employees. It provides residential and commercial asphalt repair, seal coating and street sweeping in the Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Clients are located throughout northeastern Minnesota in a 90-mile radius of Grand Rapids and reach to key locations such as Biwabik, Brainerd, Bemidji, Cloquet, Cook, Duluth, Hibbing, McGregor, Orr, Superior, Tower and Virginia. Commercial Asphalt Repair has several parking lot sweeping contracts with large retailers and big box stores. Those contracts account for approximately 75% of the company’s business. The remining 25% is dedicated to seal coating and repairing potholes for the public and private sector.

“I would not have been able to undertake the renovation without the BER grant,” said Riendeau. “It allowed me to modernize my building and create efficiencies to how we operate and maintain equipment. I am also looking forward to seeing the savings on my future utility bills as a result of the new roof, siding and insulation. ”

Commercial Asphalt Repair is now hiring for several positions. Interested applicants may email Darryn Riendeau or call him at 218-259-2363.

Learn more about Commercial Asphalt Repair.

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.

Hibbing ISD 701 and Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) collaborated to merge their two independent programs into the new shared space at Washington Elementary. Hibbing’s Early Childhood and AEOA’s Head Start programs are currently located at separate sites that are no longer suited for child care services due to interior and exterior building limitations.

“The opening of the new Hibbing Early Learning Center is extremely important to our area families, employers and workforce,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “The state of Minnesota, including the Iron Range, has a child care shortage which is a critical economic issue. The new center will be a tremendous asset to our region.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $300,000 Development Infrastructure grant to the city of Hibbing that helped pay for utilities, stormwater, lighting, sitework and landscaping. Total project investment is $9.4 million. The project is expected to create 61 construction jobs and 22 permanent jobs. For more information about Development Infrastructure grants, email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Watch a quick aerial flyover of the groundbreaking ceremony.

Watch the complete groundbreaking ceremony.

Photos courtesy of Architectural Resources, Inc.

The city of Virginia and Virginia Economic Development Authority (VEDA) last year launched a Downtown Grant Redevelopment Program which is anticipated to renovate up to 12 commercial properties that are currently substandard and/or blighted and located in the city-designated Redevelopment District.

Four businesses earlier this month received grants to improve their businesses located on Chestnut Street.

• Barber Graphics received a $38,516 grant for interior renovations and door replacement.
• Laurentian Divide Salon & Spa received a $49,000 grant for interior renovations and electrical upgrades.
• Northern State Bank Processing Center received a $13,843 grant to make energy efficiency improvements.
• W.A. Fisher received a $49,000 grant for a water line repair and steam conversion.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the redevelopment initiative with a $250,000 EDA Partnership Pilot grant, and the city of Virginia contributed $300,000 with the sale of a tax abatement bond. Other project partners include VEDA, Virginia Community Foundation and ReVive Virginia, a nonprofit organization formed to focus on downtown preservation and revitalization. With the funding, VEDA is offering grants in the form of forgivable loans of up to $49,000 to downtown business owners who reinvest in the physical assets of their business property. Favorable loan resources have also been secured to provide additional affordable financing to leverage grant funding.

Canelake’s, Popper’s Bar, Commercial Refrigeration, La Cocina & Cantina, and Ahrens Thompson Realty & Insurance were the first five businesses to receive redevelopment grants.

“The goal is to enhance and grow commercial, mixed-use development in our historic downtown,” said City Administrator Britt See-Benes. “Market values increase when dilapidated properties are redeveloped. That type of positive change in our Redevelopment District can have city-wide benefits to our residents and businesses. These four businesses are setting an excellent example of how updated storefronts and buildings can revitalize downtowns.”

On May 6, Virginia celebrated the redevelopment program’s progress at a downtown block party. The four businesses were presented with checks, and a brief program followed to kick off the First Thursdays QC (Quad Cities) art walk and the newly developed pocket park on Chestnut Street in downtown Virginia. The art walk was developed to bring people into local retail and service businesses.

“Thriving communities are at the pinnacle of our work to strengthen the region’s economy,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “The business renovations, new pocket park and weekly art walk are all contributing to the local property tax base, as well as providing full time and construction jobs. What’s happening here in Virginia is successful economic development in the core of the Iron Range.”

For VEDA redevelopment grants, email City Administrator Britt See-Benes or call her at 218-748-7500. For Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation EDA Partnership Pilot information, email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004.

Strong arts, culture, history and recreational activities are essential to the quality of life and economy of our region. Nineteen projects were recently awarded Culture & Tourism grants.

• Bigfork Valley Community Foundation: $8,600 to construct the community’s first softball/baseball field.
• Bovey Farmers Day Association: $20,000 to add handicap accessible trails, a pavilion and playground equipment at the Greenway Sports Complex.
• Chisholm Area Chamber of Commerce: $14,635 to upgrade the Chisholm Iron Trail campground with new signage, picnic gables, bike amenities and electric bike charging stations.
• Deerwood Civic & Commerce: $20,000 to add a community electronic marquee and welcome sign.
• Dorothy Molter Museum, Ely: $3,270 to make improvements to the interpretive center.
• Finland Minnesota Historical Society: $7,500 to add amenities at the historical site, including a split rail fence, picnic tables, landscaping and interpretive trail signage.
• Friends of the Edna G, Two Harbors: $2,810 to launch an advertising campaign for 125^th anniversary celebration of the historic Edna G Tugboat.
• Grand Rapids Itasca Mountain Biking Association: $14,525 to launch an advertising campaign to promote the Tioga Recreation Area and bike trails.
• Greenhaven Parent Teacher Organization, Hibbing: $20,000 to construct an inclusive, handicap accessible community playground at Greenhaven Elementary School.
• Hibbing Community College Foundation: $20,000 to add a new cove lighting system and digital projection system at Paulucci Space Theater.
• Iron Range Off Road Cyclists, Virginia: $19,950 to launch a collaborative advertising campaign that promotes the region’s mountain bike trails: Redhead, Cuyuna, Tioga and Giants Ridge.
• Itasca Curling Association, Grand Rapids: $4,460 to add walkways surrounding the curling ice.
• John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Grand Marais: $13,000 to launch an advertising campaign that promotes North Shore tourism and the cultural components of the sled dog event.
• Knights of Kaleva, Virginia: $2,970 to make interior building improvements.
• Northern Lights Music Festival, Aurora: $12,050 to launch an advertising campaign to promote the music festival.
• Silver Bay Tourism Association: $6,000 to purchase the screen, projector and lights for “Movies in the Park.”
• Tower Soudan Historical Society: $20,000 to replace the roof of the historic fire hall.
• Visit Grand Rapids: $20,000 to develop interactive video mapping showcasing historic mines and reclaimed mine areas from Crosby-Ironton to Silver Bay.
• Voyageurs National Park Association, Tower: $20,000 to purchase a utility terrain vehicle, trailer and supplies for a wolf study and outreach program.

Does your community have a project that improves the region’s arts, culture or recreation? FY22 grant guidelines will be available online beginning July 1, and applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 1. Learn more about Culture & Tourism grants. For information email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022.

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