A two-megawatt solar array and one-megawatt, two and a half hour lithium-ion battery storage system were developed on 15 acres of city-owned land near the Grand Rapids/Itasca County Airport. It will provide competitively priced stored solar power to 7,200 residents in the surrounding area. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $230,000 Community Infrastructure grant to the city of Grand Rapids. Total project investment was $4,406,650 million.

The renewable solar energy produced by the facility will roll into the Grand Rapids Public Utilities (GRPU) existing power supply. GRPU is projected to have reduced wholesale power bills from Minnesota Power (MP) because the stored energy will be deployed at peak times to reduce demand charges that are currently passed on to customers. The annual demand charge savings is estimated to be up to $200,000.

Project partners include city of Grand Rapids, GRPU, Itasca Clean Energy Team, MP and United States Solar Corporation (US Solar).

US Solar constructed, owns and operates the solar array and storage system on the city-owned land. It invested $3.7 million into the project and has a 25-year contract with MP for the purchase of the power. The private company has primary offices in Minnesota and Connecticut and specializes in solar generation projects with a focus on community solar programs. Private ownership of the Grand Rapids facility enables access to Federal Investment Tax Credits which enhances the project’s economic viability.

US Solar purchased approximately half of the solar panels from Heliene USA, Inc., a local photovoltaic solar module manufacturer in Mountain Iron. Additional local economic impacts were created from the project’s location on unused land adjacent to the airport. The once vacant property is now productive and taxable, and the income received from the land lease to US Solar will be used to support the airport’s operational costs as stipulated by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA).

“The loss of commercial air service in 2004 at our local airport dramatically reduced the airport’s federal funding,” said Julie Kennedy, GRPU general manager. “The airport is a critical economic asset to our area that must be adequately maintained for private commercial and general aviation use. The commercial leasing of the 15-acre property will generate approximately $15,000 of annual funding for the airport during the 25-year term lease with US Solar.”

In addition to the economic impacts, the project has environmental impacts. The 15-acre site will be managed as a pollinator garden which entails the planting of specific nectar and pollen producing plants.

“Minnesota Power is proud to be a partner on this community-driven innovative project,” said Julie Pierce, MP vice president of strategy and planning. “As the first utility in the state to deliver 50% renewable energy to its customers, we look forward to gaining new insights about solar-plus-storage technology while working closely with a valued municipal customer and our partners in Grand Rapids to bring more carbon-free energy to the region.”

The project created 10 construction jobs. For Community Infrastructure grant information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

The city of Coleraine improved the golf cart paths at Eagle Ridge Golf Course, a municipal-owned 18-hole public facility built on old mining stockpiles and overlooking Trout Lake. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $25,000 Mineland Reclamation grant.

The project entailed surfacing a portion of the cart paths with crushed concrete and other portions with bituminous asphalt. The mining-impacted land on which the course is built was used generations ago as a storage site for overburden and non-essential stockpile materials placed there by trains serving the nearby taconite mine. The result is iron ore stains on areas of the course that can be mitigated by the development of golf cart paths.

Coleraine is nestled on the north shore of Trout Lake in north central Minnesota’s Itasca County. It was established as a Canisteo Company mining town in 1909 and named after Thomas F. Cole who was once the president of Oliver Mining Company. With a population now of 2,007 Coleraine offers abundant fishing, hunting, outdoor recreation and winter skiing at Mt. Itasca to residents and tourists.

The golf course opened in 1996 as an economic development project. The city of Coleraine was stagnating with the decline of nearby taconite mining and the transition of economic activity to larger neighboring cities. New highway construction funneled vehicular traffic easily through and past Coleraine. The golf course was developed to attract residents through new housing options adjacent to outdoor recreation.

Since the opening of the course in 1996 over 170 new homes have been built in Coleraine, and 71 of those are directly around the golf course. The course has 172 members, 20,000 rounds played per year and over 30 employees during the golf season. Eagle Ridge has a pro shop, practice range, clubhouse, bar and restaurant. The course was recognized as one of the top destinations in the PGA Professional’s Guide to Travel publication and was rated in the “Top 10” golf courses in northeastern Minnesota by Star Tribune.

“The impact of the golf course on the city of Coleraine and surrounding areas has been tremendous,” said Briana Anderson, city clerk-treasurer. “The new homes have added to the local tax base, and the golf course has added to the economy and quality of life in the region. Eagle Ridge is an excellent example of how mining-impacted land can be transformed into development that improves a community.”

Watch a quick Eagle Ridge Golf Course video.

Before and after photos of the cart path courtesy of Michael Andrews.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation in 2020 funded the Taconite Area Business Relief Loan Program to aid businesses across the region that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Entrepreneur Fund administered the program and issued 101 loans totaling $3,356,109 that positively impacted 960 jobs.

Businesses received a 2% interest loan of up to $40,000 to help them through the economic recovery. No loan repayments are due for the first six months, followed by 60 payments of principal and interest.

“COVID-19 created extraordinary economic challenges in northeastern Minnesota,” said Commissioner Mark Phillips, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “The relief loans were designed to help area businesses and their employees through the economic recovery.”

The Giants Ridge winter sports season began last week with the opening of the alpine mountain and a portion of the alpine runs. Giants Ridge continues to make snow and open additional runs and terrain as weather conditions allow. Once the facility is fully open later this month, guests may enjoy alpine and Nordic skiing, freestyle skiing in two terrain parks, snow tubing, fat tire biking and snowshoeing.

“Opening weekend was very strong,” said Benji Neff, Giants Ridge mountain sports director. “We had a great turnout of kids, families, vacationers and season pass holders. Giants Ridge offers some of the best outdoor recreation in the Midwest, and the staff is eager to reach full capacity with our terrain and trails and launch into another great winter sports season.”

New this year at Giants Ridge is a 210-foot SunKid covered conveyor lift with a gallery enclosure located on the beginner area. It is fully lit with multi-color LED lighting and is accessible to kids and adults.

“This summer our beginner area received a complete rebuild,” said Sean Peyla, Giants Ridge director of facilities and mountain operations. “The new SunKid replaced the handle tow lift, which is a huge improvement to the guest experience, especially those learning to ski and snowboard.”

Also new this year is a Kids Holiday Camp Dec. 27, 28 and 29. Kids ages 7 to 12 enjoy a three-hour lesson each day that focuses on fun, skill development and safety.

Ladies age 18 and over may enjoy the new Ride Like a GRL (Giants Ridge Ladies) program designed to encourage more women to get involved in mountain sports. Personalized coaching and confidence building skills will be led by Mountain Sports Academy Director Heidi Jo and the academy’s top female instructors. It will be offered to all levels of skiers three Saturdays each in January and February.

The Ladies’ Snowshoe Series will return this winter and offer guided beginner and intermediate snowshoe hikes on select days and evenings during January, February and March. Women are encouraged to gather friends and enjoy the hikes through the Giants Ridge property which borders on the Superior National Forest. The cost is $49 per person, per session and includes a snowshoe trail pass, snowshoe rental, headlamp use and a $29 voucher for the Burnt Onion Kitchen & Brews.

Learn more about the Giants Ridge Snow Sports Academy, advance registration and program dates and details.

“Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation continues to make investments into the infrastructure and amenities which can grow the already significant economic impact to northeastern Minnesota,” said Fred Seymour, Giants Ridge general manager. “We welcomed roughly 130,000 visitors annually in recent years. All age groups of golfers, skiers, bikers and outdoor recreators are utilizing the amenities, and it spills out into the local economy. The staff is constantly fine tuning our operations and offerings to provide quality experiences to both our loyal repeat customer base and to those who are visiting the region or trying an outdoor sport for the very first time.”

Giants Ridge is open Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 12 and every day beginning Friday, Dec. 17. Check the Giants Ridge snow report throughout the season for updated conditions and terrain openings. View the Giant Ridge live webcam for real-time weather conditions and on-the-spot insight.

Giants Ridge is owned by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and managed by Guest Services, a hospitality management company in the United States since 1917.