Jan. 5, 2022
Alder Place the Inn owners Michael and Billie Rouse utilized a Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant to help replace an outdated furnace with a new energy efficient one to heat their historic inn located on the edge of Babbitt near Birch Lake. The existing boiler was fueled by liquid propane and was the original heating system installed in the 1950s.
Alder Place the Inn was built as the "Staff House" by the Reserve Mining Company in the 1950s. The facility was used for those visiting or working at the newly opened mine. The mine closed in the 1980s, and the building was soon purchased and repurposed as a private lodging facility.
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Michael and Billie Rouse purchased Alder Place the Inn in 1995 after relocating to northeastern Minnesota from Indiana in the early 1980s as a young married couple. They operated it as a family-owned business while they raised their five children who are now grown. Billie is the primary inn operator, and Michael is the music instructor at Ely High School. The inn is located close to Birch Lake with nearby hiking, biking and cross country ski trails. The three-acre property is adjacent to snowmobile and ATV trails and is 15 miles from Ely, all of which makes it a convenient lodging choice for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the region and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. A variety of large to standard room sizes can accommodate families, groups, couples and individuals.
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“Michael and I honeymooned in the Boundary Waters in 1976 and fell in love with northeastern Minnesota,” said Billie. “Several years later, we decided to move here permanently. The inn has been a huge part of our life and of the lives of our children and grandchildren.”
With the BER grant and their own private investment, the Rouses made the needed improvements to the heating system that was operating at about 50% capacity. The city of Babbitt received a Commercial Redevelopment grant from the agency to assist with the internal demolition and removal of the oversized furnace. The new furnace is anticipated to reduce the facility’s propane fuel consumption by approximately two-thirds, a significant improvement to both the environment and the owner’s operating expenses. The project may also potentially result in energy rebates.
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“The new furnace has been nothing short of life-changing. The new system has taken a huge amount of stress off our shoulders,” said Billie. “The old furnace required a lot of repair time and oversight to keep it going and a lot of money to operate it. The new system has elevated the inn’s overall performance, both financially and operationally.”
Learn more about The Alder Place the Inn.
Since BER’s inception in 2013, over 500 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.
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The city of Virginia completed phase I renovation of the Silver Lake Walking Trail to alleviate the mixing of motorized and non-motorized traffic. The trail connects schools, parks, community recreation facilities and activity centers throughout Virginia’s downtown area and business district. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $50,000 Regional Trails grant.
Phase I included the reconstruction of a portion of the existing trail and created a connection to a city avenue. Phase II is scheduled for later this year and will allow for construction of a floating bridge across Silver Lake. The reconstructed and new sections of the trail combined are approximately 3,000 feet, including about 1,500 feet of the floating boardwalk. The asphalt trail is 10 feet wide and has decorative lighting, signage and landscaping. The trail is utilized by pedestrians and bicyclists.
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“Silver Lake Trail provides our residents and visitors a wonderful outdoor activity within a city setting and provides a non-motorized alternative to access a wide variety of locations throughout Virginia,” said City Administrator Britt See-Benes. “The trail promotes active, healthy living and complements the city’s other outdoor amenities such as our community parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, ballfields, tennis courts and skating rinks.”
Silver Lake is one of two lakes located in the center of Virginia and from 1893 to 1929 was home to numerous sawmills. The sawmill operations experienced a fire in 1900 that destroyed almost all wood-structured downtown buildings. The city required that all main street buildings be rebuilt from brick, stone or concrete which created a unique architectural appearance to Chestnut Street. Silver Lake also is home to the World's Largest Floating Loon in the summer months. The 20-foot-long fiberglass structure is tethered to the bottom of the lake and is hauled ashore during the winter months.
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The trail renovation project was also supported by Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, a state constitutionally dedicated fund that originates from a combination of Minnesota State Lottery proceeds and investment income.
For Regional Trails grant information email Jim Plummer or call him at 218-274-7006.
First two photos courtesy of ironrange.org.
Third photo: Floating bridge planned for phase II of the Silver Lake Trail renovation.
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Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation invests approximately $375,000 annually into Culture & Tourism grants across its 13,000 square-mile service area. The grants assist projects that support arts, culture, history and recreational activities that enhance the quality of life in the region and attract visitors.
Babbitt was awarded a Culture & Tourism grant to add a new entry sign to welcome tourists to its community. “A welcome sign is an important marker. It creates a sense of arrival and beautifies the gateway entry point. The new sign gives visitors a great first impression that we are proud of our community.” - Babbitt Mayor Andrea Zupancich
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The city of Cook was awarded a Culture & Tourism grant to develop a veteran’s park at the end of its main street that pays tribute to all military branches and veterans, and provides an outdoor community space for residents and tourists. “Creating a new outdoor community space will benefit our residents, families and businesses. People can share meals, gather with friends, exercise and play outdoors. The park had an abundance of support, and it was very important to the people of Cook to honor members of our community who have and are still serving in the United States military.” - Tammy Palmer, Friends of the Park president.
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The city of Chisholm was awarded a Culture & Tourism grant to add new amenities to Iron Trail Campground including picnic tables, signage, a bike wash station, bike tire pump and bike repair tools. “The campground has been a great asset to regional tourists and visitors of Chisholm. Chisholm has been undergoing planning for revitalization of the downtown area, and the bike park and campground add an abundance to the city’s and region’s offerings.” - City Administrator Stephanie Skraba
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Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $30,000 and require a 1:1 match. Cities, townships, nonprofits and tribal units of government located within the agency’s service area are eligible to apply. Multi-organization collaboration is encouraged.
Examples of projects include capital improvements, historic preservations, community arts and culture, tourism and recreational activities, marketing and promotion to new audiences.
Does your community have a project that improves the region’s arts, culture or recreation? The next cycle of applications will be accepted beginning March 1, 2022. 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.
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Northland Foundation is seeking input from northeastern Minnesota communities that are interested in being part of a Main Street Revitalization Program. Northland could serve as the fiscal agent on behalf of area communities to tap into a second round of statewide funds being made available for projects in the region. If awarded a grant from the state, Northland Foundation could offer grants or guaranteed loans to area communities to cover a significant portion of the project costs related to:
- Repair or renovation of real property.
- Building construction.
- Landscaping and streetscaping.
- Demolition and site preparation.
- Predesign and design.
- Engineering.
- Infrastructure.
- Related site amenities.
Qualifying conditions within communities include but are not limited to:
- Major plant closures, significant commercial vacancy increases, and/or loss of economic anchor institutions.
- COVID-19 impacts on travel, tourism, retail and accommodation.
- Widespread property damage due to fire, flood, arson, civil unrest and/or natural disasters.
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