Bois Forte Band of Chippewa is constructing a fiber-to-the-home buildout to bring high speed broadband to its reservation. The original project began three years ago and included about 440 homes within the reservation boundaries. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the initial project with a $579,272 Broadband Infrastructure grant. Other funding partners included Shakopee Mdewakanton Community ($600,000) and Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development ($1,158,545).

Bois Forte recently received a $19.8 million grant from National Telecommunications and Information Administrations (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. The funding will enable Bois Forte to continue its commitment to broadband and build out reservation areas surrounding Lake Vermilion, city of Orr and Pelican Lake, connecting an additional 3,200 homes.

When both projects are complete, a combined total of more than 3,600 homes, numerous businesses and several community facilities will be connected.

Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) will oversee the project design, engineering and construction of 375 miles of new fiber optic cable. In its assessment process, CTC concluded that 98% of the locations within the project area are unserved meaning they lack broadband speeds of less than 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload. When the project is complete, the locations will have access to speeds of over 1 Gigabit per second.

“Bois Forte is continually working to improve the economic viability and quality of life for our bandmembers,” said Bois Forte Information Technology Director Randy Long. “Broadband service is one of the key areas we are focusing on. Currently, it is the largest barrier limiting us from competing and attracting jobs within the reservation area. It will also help our families be better connected to schools, medical facilities and cultural activities.”

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (also referred to as Ojibwe) is a sovereign, federally recognized Native American Tribal Nation whose people have lived in northeastern Minnesota for centuries. Their reservation land is located within the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area. In addition to the residential homes, there are approximately 25 businesses that are either tribal government-owned or privately-owned.

Email Whitney Ridlon for Broadband Infrastructure grant information, or call her at 218-735-3004.

The city of Virginia completed a large-scale roadway improvement project that consisted of upgrades to existing streets, sidewalks, sanitary sewer collection, water distribution and storm water drainage systems in six areas of town. The work was divided into two phases over two years and completed in late 2022. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with Community Infrastructure grants totaling $750,000. Total project investment was $12.1 million.

The six areas included portions of:

• 8th Avenue West. 
• 10th Avenue.
• 3rd Street South.
• Pine Mill Court.
• 3rd Avenue West. 
• Southern Drive.

The roads were fully reconstructed with new subgrades, drain tile pipe, curbs, gutters and bituminous pavement. The sidewalks were reconstructed to meet ADA standards for width and accessible pedestrian ramps. Many of the street lights and poles were upgraded. Residential and commercial water and sanitary sewer services were replaced.

“The new roads were reconstructed with State Aid transportation standards that significantly reduce possible failures in the future such as settlement, heaving and cracking,” said Britt See-Benes, Virginia’s city administrator. “The road project elevated the city’s visual aesthetics and road quality. The improvements poised the city for growth on the horizon and made it better for the residents and all travelers who access the city.”

The city of Virginia has a population of about 8,400 people, approximately 4,200 households, over 300 businesses, a downtown area and several other large retail and commercial development zones. There are schools, a community college, child care centers, parks, a convention center and major medical center. Virginia is situated along the one of the region’s main thoroughfares, the heavily traveled Highway 53.

“Road surface conditions have a large impact on communities in our region. The quality of our roads effects vehicles, drivers, businesses, pedestrians, residents and tourists,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “The city of Virginia took on a huge improvement project, and our agency was pleased to be a partner by providing infrastructure grant funding.”

Other project partners included Virginia Public Utilities Commission and Minnesota Department of Transportation’s State Transportation Improvement Program.

Email Chris Ismil for Community Infrastructure grant information or call him at 218-735-3010.

Note: Number of households, as per 2020 census data. Number of businesses, as per 2017 census data.

The P&H Road intersection at Trunk Highway 53 in the city of Virginia was reconstructed to resolve traffic safety issues. Improvements included expanding the median crossover to accommodate oversize vehicles and adding a southbound median left turn lane. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $176,894 Development Infrastructure grant to the city of Virginia. Total project investment was $469,404.

The original intersection configuration existed prior to the construction of a new Komatsu facility in 2011. Komatsu manufactures large mining equipment for the iron mining industries in Minnesota and Michigan and also produces large structure components that ship out of its city of Virginia facility to Canada and the western United States.

Traffic volume drastically increased at the intersection when the new Komatsu facility opened. It became utilized by mining haul trucks traveling into the facility from US Steel Minntac and other area mines. The intersection also saw use by Komatsu’s outbound oversize/heavy freight carrier loads such as those transporting electric mining shovel dippers, shovel booms and shovel frames.

In addition, the intersection is used by approximately 70 Komatsu employees and 350 employees of nearby Cleveland Cliffs Minorca Mine (formerly ArcelorMittal). Of particular safety concern were the shift change times at the two businesses along with the routine traffic traveling north and south on Highway 53.

“The lack of a turn or acceleration lane posed a safety risk for the employees and other people traveling through Virginia,” said Britt See-Benes, city administrator. “The speed limit on Highway 53 is 65 miles per hour, and most traffic was not expecting vehicles to turn or accelerate in the passing lane. In addition, the freight carriers exiting Komatsu and turning onto the highway often blocked the passing lane which created safety concerns.”

A working group formed in 2019 to explore multiple safety solutions. Group members included Komatsu, ArcelorMittal (now Cleveland Cliffs Minorca Mine), the city of Virginia, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). A plan was developed, and the reconfiguration project was completed last year.

“The intersection, prior to its reconfiguration, was an obstacle to potential future growth at our Virginia facility,” said Jim Thune, Komatsu regional manager. “We are very pleased with the improved intersection. It created efficiencies and safety for our operations and for our employees.”

For more information about Development Infrastructure grants email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Note: MnDOT supported the project with a $277,510 grant.