Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the expansion with a $10 million business loan and $500,000 infrastructure grant to CHAA. Total project investment is approximately $20.8 million. Detroit Reman will lease the new space from CHAA through a long-term lease agreement.

“Detroit Reman is one of northeastern Minnesota’s major manufacturers. With this expansion, their impact on the region’s economy will grow even greater,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “For over 130 years, northeastern Minnesota’s miners have been at work extracting iron ore. Now, the workers of our region will also be instrumental in producing the electric components needed for the emerging electric vehicle and battery industry. Detroit Reman’s expansion project here in Hibbing underscores the important role that northeastern Minnesota has long had in the nation’s economy and innovation.”

Detroit Reman already plays a significant role in the manufacturing and remanufacturing of truck and bus components, enabling it to support its parent company, Daimler Truck North America, in advancing its zero-emission goals by facilitating the electrification of commercial vehicles for its customers. The additional footprint will allow the Hibbing facility to dedicate space to safely expand the high-voltage manufacturing area resulting in more production lines for electric components, including the remanufacturing of batteries and inverters.

“We are committed to our Detroit Reman facility in Hibbing and excited to further grow our portfolio by expanding the existing site in preparation of the growing battery-electric vehicle commercial market,” said Brian Lewallen, Detroit Reman president.

Detroit Reman is one of seven businesses located at Range Regional Airport including: Acar Auto Rental, Carey Lake Seaplanes, Premium Air, Life Link III,  Midwest Aircraft Refinishing and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition to providing daily air transportation through Delta Air Lines and Sun Country, the campus has become a commercial and industrial center in northeastern Minnesota.

“Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority is a major economic development hub for northeastern Minnesota, and the expansion of Detroit Reman’s footprint and operations demonstrates what we can offer new and expanding businesses,” said Barrett Ziemer, Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority executive director. “The entire 58 acres is Shovel-Ready certified, which allows us to put development projects on a fast track. We are so pleased to add this expansion to our already bustling business community at the airport campus.”

Learn more about Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s loans and grants are funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for loan information. Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for Development Infrastructure grant information.

Pictured above at the Detroit Reman groundbreaking: Scott Sundvall, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation; Arik Forsman, Minnesota Power; Adam Lantz, city of Chisholm; Betsy Olivanti, city of Hibbing; Janelle Greschner, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation; Barrett Ziemer, Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority; Bill Statham, Detroit Reman; Brian Lewallen, Detroit Reman; Jeff Nelson, Department of Employment and Economic Development; Matt Sjoberg, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation; Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation; and Mayor Pete Hyduke, city of Hibbing.

The owners of Hibbing Fabricators (HibFab) utilized bank participation loans from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation to purchase the company’s stock and real estate from the company founders.

HibFab is a manufacturer and assembler of precision metal products comprised of materials such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium and tin. It supplies to the aerospace, medical, computer, telecommunications, industrial, food processing, energy, technical and electronics industries. Their products manufactured in Hibbing eventually become components in equipment and aircraft sold and utilized throughout the world.

Over 50% of the company’s production is for the aerospace industry. Three of its most well-known, direct and indirect clients are Cirrus Aircraft headquartered in Duluth, Panasonic Avionics of Bethell, Washington and Lockheed Martin.

“With the soft economy in 2020, Hibbing Fabricators’ business experienced a dip in sales which was a direct reflection of COVID-19. Since that time, it has recovered particularly well with substantial growth in the aerospace, healthcare and electronics industries,” said Rally Hess, HibFab co-owner. “We are anticipating continued revenue gains through 2026.”

Hess explained that the business loans from Iron Range Resource & Rehabilitation helped the company’s principals keep the company in Hibbing providing meaningful job opportunities and employment growth on the Iron Range. The ownership transition has poised HibFab for steady, long-term growth.

Along with its large national clients, HibFab’s customer base includes companies in northeastern Minnesota including Nelson Williams Linings, RMS Tritec, L&M Radiator, Detroit Diesel, Newcon Valve, Moline Machinery, Baldwin Supply, Electric Power Door Company, Velik Tek and Trison Solutions (common ownership to Hibbing Fabricators). HibFab supplies the local manufacturers with products and services to complement their operations.

HibFab employs more than 30 full-time workers including equipment operators, machinists and welders. Founded in 1985, the company has been successfully operating in northeastern Minnesota’s Iron Range for over three decades. Learn more about Hibbing Fabricators.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this project with bank participation loans totaling $362,500. The agency’s business loans are funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. Email Scott Sundvall for more loan information or call him at 218-735-3015.

Dr. Jerrad Bergren and his wife Angela utilized a Business Energy Retrofit (BER) and a Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant to help transform a vacant building in Balsam into a new health care center with three operating businesses: Bergren Family Chiropractic, Whispering Pines Massage & Spa and Round Table Market. The building is one of Balsam’s few commercial properties. It was constructed in 1987 and operated as a café and laundromat until it closed in 2020.

The new multi-business operation opened to the public last year. Bergren’s office provides chiropractic care for all ages including infants. Whispering Pines offers a variety of massage types including deep tissue, Swedish, pregnancy, trigger point, sports, geriatric and orthopedic. Round Table Market is scheduled to open later this year as a health supply and food store.

The Bergrens used the BER grant to complete energy efficiency improvements including new electrical wiring and light fixtures, a furnace and a forced air system. The DBR grant helped pay to make the entry doors, sidewalks and bathrooms ADA compliant.

“My practice outgrew its previous location in Balsam. The vacant building presented an opportunity to expand my practice and add other health care businesses that serve the people of Balsam and surrounding area,” said Dr. Bergren. “The BER and DBR grants were of great help to the renovation project and allowed Angela and me to make the needed improvements to modernize the building and make it more energy efficient.”

Dr. Bergren grew up in Balsam Township and graduated from Grand Rapids High School. He attended Itasca Community College, University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington where he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic. Upon graduation, he returned to Balsam to begin his chiropractic career. He is an active member of the American Chiropractic Association, the Minnesota Chiropractic Association, the Balsam Township Board Supervisor and a former volunteer firefighter and EMT. Angela is a Paraprofessional with Grand Rapids School District.

Learn more about Bergren Family Chiropractic.

Since BER’s inception in 2013, over 624 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).

Email Erik Bennett at AEOA or call him at 218-322-6512 to learn more about BER and DBR.

The Giants Ridge golf season began on Friday, May 12 with the opening of The Legend and Quarry.

Located in Biwabik, approximately three hours north of Minneapolis/St. Paul, The Legend and Quarry courses have been a part of Minnesota’s golf landscape for a quarter of a century earning numerous national and state accolades. The most recent accolade was garnered from Golf Digest when Giants Ridge received the coveted 2022 “Editors’ Choice Award” in the “Best Golf Resorts in the Midwest” category. Giants Ridge last year also appeared in Golfweek’s Top 200 Resort Courses in the nation with The Quarry at number 36. In the magazine’s Top Public Courses in Minnesota, The Quarry was ranked at number one and The Legend number six.

“Giants Ridge has been in demand for decades among golfers throughout the Midwest and Canada,” said John Kendall, Giants Ridge director of golf. “We are thankful to have a high repeat rate of golfers traveling from distances of three hours or more, as well as by the loyal Iron Range market. We want to make certain their investments of time, travel and money are well worth it while they visit this remarkable facility in northeastern Minnesota.”

Golfers playing The Quarry will traverse through a former sand quarry and iron ore mine with vast Iron Range vistas. Dramatically raised tees and hazards are forged from the reclaimed and repurposed mine land. The Legend is carved out of the Superior National Forest and plays through towering pines and alongside Sabin Lake.

The spring daily rate of $87 is available through June 1 with juniors 17 and under playing for $40 any day during the season. Dubbed “Minnesota’s Greatest Value in Golf,” the 37-Hole Special begins June 2 and includes golf on both courses with lunch for $180 Monday through Thursday and $200 Friday through Sunday. Throughout the 2023 season, Iron Range residents may play either course for $55 Sunday through Thursday. Tee times are required, and all golf rates include a golf car rental and range balls. Call the Golf Shop at 218-865-8030 for details on green fees and offers.

Giants Ridge is owned by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and managed by Guest Services, a hospitality management company in the United States since 1917. The agency invests into the Giants Ridge amenities and infrastructure to support the facility’s significant annual economic impact of roughly $55 million. Giants Ridge has welcomed about 135,000 visitors annually in recent years, and it spills out into the local economy as well as creates full-time and part-time jobs for local residents.

The recreation area offers lift-served mountain bike trails, hiking, a climbing wall and lake access during the summer. The winter months bring alpine and cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing and access to over 2,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

Book a tee time and plan your 2023 golf trip to Giants Ridge.

The goMARTI self-driving shuttle is an 18-month pilot project that kicked off last fall as part of Minnesota’s Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative. The pilot offers free, on-demand rides to Grand Rapids residents and visitors on board self-driving shuttles. The pilot consists of a fleet of five Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS vehicles, three of which are ADA-compliant and wheelchair accessible. The vehicles are considered self-driving, but there is an autonomous vehicle operator onboard at all times who verifies the safe operation of the vehicle and aids passengers as needed. The shuttle route area covers nearly 17 square miles and includes approximately 70 pickup and drop off points. Rides may be requested through a mobile app or by phone.

goMARTI was recently featured on British Broadcasting Corporation’s StoryWorks. The video demonstrates what economic development this innovative pilot brings while attracting future talent and technology to the Iron Range.

Watch the goMARTI video on BBC.

Learn more about the goMARTI project.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the goMARTI project with a $300,000 Development Partnership grant and a $50,000 Downtown Streetscapes grant.

Other project partners include Minnesota Department of Transportation, city of Grand Rapids, The PLUM Catalyst, May Mobility, Itasca County, Via, University of Minnesota, Arrowhead Transit, Mobility Mania and others.

Email Whitney Ridlon for Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation grant information or call her at 218-735-3004.