The Ely Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic this week completed a renovation that added 2,400 square feet of remodeled space and 5,040 square feet of new space. The project enables the outpatient clinic to provide additional health services, including mental health care, primary and internal medicine and women’s health care to area United States military veterans. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $247,918 Development Infrastructure grant to the city of Ely. Total project investment was $2.95 million.

The infrastructure improvements required to allow for the building expansion included: relocation of a sanitary sewer main, installation of storm sewer, replacement of sidewalks to provide ADA access, extension of a new sewer service and restoration of the roadway and parking lot that serves the building.

The clinic is located in the city-owned Sato building within Ely Business Park. Other building tenants include CWT Travel and Minnesota State Department of Revenue. The clinic currently serves approximately 450 veterans, has six employees and is anticipated to hire two additional employees. The expansion created approximately 15 construction jobs.

“The Development Infrastructure grant to support the expansion of Ely’s VA Clinic is part of the agency’s commitment to the growth of business and quality of life in northeastern Minnesota,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “The clinic project retained and created jobs and provides quality health care to our region’s veterans who have sacrificed to serve and protect our nation.”

United States VA mission: To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans. VA carries out four specific missions to make good on that commitment:

1. Veterans health care.
2. Veterans benefits.
3. National cemeteries.
4. National preparedness improvements.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s grants are funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. For Development Infrastructure grant information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

The East Range was one of 12 northeastern Minnesota communities that received a Taconite Area Community Relief grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB) received a $150,000 grant and combined it with $20,000 of its own funds to provide $170,000 in financial assistance to four pandemic-distressed businesses. The four organizations received zero-interest loans ranging from $20,000 up to $50,000. The assistance impacted approximately 31 jobs.

Businesses and organizations that utilized the COVID Relief funding included:

• Aurora Chiropractic - Aurora: Working capital to support a capital improvement project.
• Golden Paws Dog Training - Aurora: Business expansion that includes a new building.
• Classic Woodworks North - Biwabik: Equipment purchase to expand business offerings.
• Stern Industries - Hoyt Lakes: Equipment purchase.

“The East Range Joint Powers Board’s Disaster Relief Loan Program provided vital funding to help four local businesses recover and build back from the effects of the pandemic,” said ERJPB consultant Karl Schuettler. “We thank Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation for creating a program that dramatically expanded our pool of funds to support local businesses.”

There is $21,000 remaining in the ERJPB relief fund. Eligible businesses in Aurora, Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes and Town of White that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for a zero-interest loan through Dec. 31, 2021.

The Taconite Area Community Relief Grant was established last year by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. Twelve applications were received from area communities, and all were funded at various levels with financial participation from each community.

Learn more about Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation COVID Relief programs.

The city of Mountain Iron made improvements to its water system in order to continue providing clean safe drinking water and fire protection to its 2,500 community members. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $400,000 Community Infrastructure grant. Total project investment was $2.5 million.

The work included rehabilitating the city’s 400,000-gallon water tower, installing a new water filtering system to replace a 40-year old system, drilling a new well to mitigate potential future contamination and carrying out maintenance on current wells. The city received a $500,000 well development grant from Minnesota Public Facilities Authority to help offset the total project cost.

“One of our agency’s goals is to help communities improve, replace and modernize their foundational assets such as water systems,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation. “The agency’s investment into Mountain Iron helps the city continue providing essential water services to its residents and businesses.”

The project created 12 construction jobs. For Community Infrastructure grant information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Water tower image courtesy of Benchmark Engineering. 

The Northeast Minnesota Equity Summit is an opportunity for community leaders, businesses, educators, creatives, workforce and economic development, government, health care, philanthropy and others to engage around themes related to diversity, equity and inclusion and forge a more inclusive future in northeast Minnesota.

The summit, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27, will be held on Zoom from 9 to 11:30 a.m. It is free of charge, but advance registration is requested. 

The summit is part of the larger Welcoming Community programming that Northspan is launching. Its goal is to integrate new residents or those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to foster an inclusive environment that sets the stage for community and economic growth.

Participants will learn how groups across the state and region are promoting equity in business, rural areas and within communities. The summit will include an overview on the changing region, ways to take action in the community, share resources across the region and educate attendees about unique programming that so many already have underway. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage directly in World Café-style conversations to envision the possibilities of an equitable future for northeast Minnesota.

From practitioners looking to gain new skills and partnerships to community members who may be interested in understanding and discussing the implications of equity work in their communities, all are encouraged and invited to attend. Everyone's perspectives and experiences are welcome at this important learning opportunity and discussion.

Register for the summit.

Northspan’s Welcoming Community programming is funded in part by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, Blandin Foundation, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and the Northland Foundation.

Northland communities continue to face a big challenge: enough quality care for young children. It affects families, employers and regional productivity. The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained an already challenged sector.

The Why Child Care Matters: Northeast Minnesota Summit will provide updated research on the Arrowhead region's child care shortage, highlight community-driven solutions to address the child care challenge and discuss resources available to help.

The summit will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. It is free of charge, but advance registration is requested. 

Register for the summit.

All are invited to attend this important event alongside economic development, education, early childhood, business, government and philanthropy colleagues.