Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provides financial assistance to communities that invest in their foundational, business and social assets to ensure quality of life in northeastern Minnesota. 

Grant opportunities for FY23 are listed below. The grant cycles opened on July 1, with the exception of Culture & Tourism and Drilling Incentive which will open on Aug. 1.

Click on the links to view the grant guidelines, application processes and contact information for each program.

Community Grant Opportunities

• Commercial Redevelopment.
• Infrastructure.
• Residential Redevelopment.

Mining Grant Opportunities

• Drilling Incentive. - Opens Aug. 1
• Mineland Reclamation.

Other Grant Opportunities

• Business Energy Retrofit and Downtown Building Rehabilitation.
• Culture & Tourism - First cycle begins Aug. 1.
• Development Partnership.
• Grant Writing Assistance.
• Regional Trails.
• Workforce.

Grant applications must be submitted through the FLUXX grants portal. Access the FLUXX portal.

Business Energy Retrofit (BER) and Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) are accepting applications through July 15. Both grant programs provide funding to area businesses. They are funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and administered through Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA).

BER grants assist with energy efficiency improvements to buildings that can result in reduced utility bills, improved building aesthetics and increased building life. Learn more about BER.

• Eligible applicants: Small businesses with 100 employees or less.
• Eligible projects: Projects related to energy efficiency including lighting and fixtures, building envelope air sealing, appliances, motors and equipment, insulation and ventilation, heating and cooling, window and door replacements and renewable energy.
• Required match per project: A business may be provided up to 1/3 of the total project cost or up to $20,000. A $500 application fee is required to participate in the program.
• FY23 funding: $1,250,000. Grant amounts vary.
• Evaluation criteria: Location within a community that has been previously underserved by BER. Prior BER grant funding. Location within a downtown corridor. Leveraging of other local, state or federal funding sources such as DEED SCDP, USDA or PACE. Project readiness: (1) ready to begin within 30 days, (2) completed construction bids with prevailing wage compliancy.

Pictured above: S&S Meats owners were awarded BER grants to help upgrade their butcher shop in Grand Rapids. The grants helped them acquire new equipment including a freezer, cooler, refrigerated display cases, a smoker and interior lighting fixtures. The improvements significantly increased the aesthetics of the store’s interior and lowered operating expenses by reducing overall energy consumption. Thirty-two feet of well-lit energy efficient display cases improved the shopping experience and resulted in increased sales. The high efficiency smoker doubled production capability.

DBR grants assist with the costs of code compliance construction and remodeling projects. Code compliance upgrades can help improve land values, enhance public image in downtowns that spur economic development, improve safety and reduce health threats. Learn more about DBR.

• Eligible applicants: Downtown businesses.
• Eligible projects: Projects related to code compliance with general construction, electrical, plumbing, elevators, ADA, lead and asbestos removal, mechanical, sprinklers, housing rehabilitation, storefront and professional assistance.
• Required match per project: A business may be provided up to 1/3 of the total project cost or up to $50,000. A $500 application fee is required to participate in the program.
• FY23 funding: $250,000. Grant amounts vary.
• Evaluation criteria: Building is prominent or historically significant. Building is highly visible on the main street in a downtown area. Code compliance issues are clearly identified. Project will support business expansion or retention. Project will bring a building back into use, expand the use of a building or retain a business that is in jeopardy of vacating a building. Project readiness: (1) ready to begin within 30 days, (2) construction bids with prevailing wage compliancy.

Pictured above: Local lodging entrepreneur Shawn Callahan was awarded a DBR grant to help transform a vacant building on main street Biwabik into a three-unit lodging facility and 650 square feet of commercial space. The grant helped offset costs to bring the century-old building into code compliance. All units are fully furnished and are extended stay live/work rentals.

The Culture & Tourism grant cycle is open Aug. 1 - 25. The grants assist projects that support arts, culture, history, tourism and recreational activities, enhance the quality of life in the region and attract visitors.

Project examples include:

• Upgraded digital projection and lighting systems: Paulucci Space Theatre, Hibbing. Pictured above.
• Ride the Range website for area mountain bike trails: Giants Ridge (Biwabik), Cuyuna (Crosby), Redhead (Chisholm) and Tioga (Cohasset).
• Inflatable outdoor theater and audio system for drive-in movies in the park: Silver Bay.
• Trail map for all ATV and snowmobile trails within Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties. Pictured below.

Culture & Tourism and Downtown Streetscapes grant programs are now combined into one program. Projects that promote safe and attractive downtowns for residents, shoppers, workers and visitors are encouraged to now apply under the Culture & Tourism grant.

Cities, townships, nonprofits, tribal governments and governmental entities created pursuant to Minnesota Statutes located within the agency’s service area are eligible to apply. Key application dates:

• Aug. 25: Pre-applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m.
• Aug. 31: Full grant applications and required documentation must be submitted by 4:30 p.m.

Applications must be submitted through the FLUXX grant portal. Access the FLUXX portal.

Learn more about the Culture & Tourism grant guidelines. For information email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022.