“The renovation and expansion were huge undertakings, both operationally and financially,” said Tammy. “The building has served veterinary needs in the region for over 50 years, and it was time to update it so that we may serve pets and their families for the next 50 years. The BER grant, along with our local contractor AM Construction, helped us create a more energy efficient and modern building.”

Dr. Kalinowski has been a licensed veterinarian for 32 years. He is an Iron Range native and has practiced in Virginia, Minnesota as well as South Dakota. Mesaba Animal Hospital is a full-service facility that provides preventative and wellness care; treatment of medical, surgical and dental conditions; and urgent and emergency care to dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pocket pets and goats. In addition to Dr. Kalinowski, there are two veterinarian technicians, three receptionists and other support staff that together serve clients in the Hibbing and surrounding areas in St. Louis County.

The BER improvements were part of a larger year-long remodel that included: the addition of a fully heated kennel room and separate isolation room; new flooring; cat ward; refurbished surgery, x-ray and dental suites; various reconfigurations of treatment tables; and new exam rooms.

The project will transform the campus from three separate buildings into one large connected structure that may be used by the community during non-school hours. The teardown and improvements set the stage for long-term future renovation of the athletic facility and the creation of a track once the needed funding is secured.

The new campus layout creates operational, technology and safety efficiencies for students and faculty. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2022 and will serve approximately 600 students and the surrounding Ely community. Academic, athletic and faculty collaborations with Northeast Range/St. Louis County Schools, Vermilion Community College, Northeast Higher Education District, Applied Learning Institute and Education Innovation Partners are part of the Ely Schools 21st Century Learning Plan.

“Education is a very large component when measuring a region’s quality of life,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “When businesses or employees are considering a relocation to northeastern Minnesota, one of the top factors considered is the caliber of education for their children.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $7 million Iron Range School Collaboration: Bricks & Mortar grant to Ely Schools ISD 696 that helped pay for infrastructure and demolition. Other funding partners include: Ely Schools, Minnesota Department of Education, and Ely residents through a voter-approved referendum levy. The project is estimated to create 28 construction jobs. For more information about School Collaboration grants email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004.

School rendering and groundbreaking photos courtesy of Architectural Resources, Inc.

The city of Calumet constructed a new 28 by 40-foot public works facility to house maintenance equipment and provide essential services to community members. The roof collapsed on the former aging public works building this past winter and caused considerable damage. The project was supported by a Community Infrastructure grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation.

Calumet is home to approximately 160 households and over 350 people. It is located in Itasca County along main thoroughfare Highway 169. The city bears the name of the ceremonial peace pipe used by Native Americans when making treaties. Calumet was a logging community starting in the late 1880s, and in 1913 iron ore mining began at the Hill Annex Mine located on the community’s northern end. During its years of operation, Hill Annex produced 63 million tons of iron ore and became the state’s sixth largest producer. The former mine is now a state park with interpretive facilities.

“One of our agency’s goals is to help communities invest in their foundational assets, such as public works facilities,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. “The agency’s investment into Calumet helps the city provide essential services such as snow removal and lawn maintenance of public parks to its residents and businesses.”

For Community Infrastructure grant information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation is creating virtual tours of available buildings and sites in the agency’s service area. The sites and buildings are for sale and/or lease on the open market. It is a new efficient tool for business recruiting and retention efforts during the pandemic and beyond. Virtual community and site tours can expedite the site selection process and be used during teleconferences to inform clients in a new way.

The virtual tours are being created with a Ricoh Theta SC2 360 degree camera and then uploaded onto a site that can be shared with clients. The business prospects can virtually explore the interior and exterior of properties without the time and expense of travel.

The initiative was prompted by the nationwide shelter-in-place and social distancing requirements related to COVID-19’s pause on business travel and in-person site visits. However, the demand for and usefulness of virtual tours will continue regardless of public health precautions because it saves local and remote businesses and entrepreneurs time and money.

Tours can be produced of buildings, land, parking lots and nearly any developable site. A tour was recently developed of an available industrial building in the city of Eveleth’s Progress Park.

Take the 360˚ virtual tour of an industrial building in Eveleth’s Progress Park.

View the property listing and specifications on Northland Connection.

Local municipalities may email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 to learn more about virtual tours of buildings and developable sites.