Smoke on the Water, a production wine and cider facility located on Trout Lake in Coleraine, opened for business in June. Owner Tia Marie utilized grants and loans from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and her own private investment to transform a vacant firehall into a winery and restaurant with a wood-fire kitchen and specialty bar.

Tia Marie purchased the building from the city of Coleraine which is located five miles east of Grand Rapids. It had been vacant for several years and was in disrepair. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a $50,470 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city to help with internal and external demolition of roofing, siding, walls, windows and other components. 

“Smoke on the Water is a tremendous asset to our economy and community," said Coleraine Mayor Tom Nielsen. “We were fortunate that the building was available for a local business entrepreneur to open such a unique place for residents and tourists to enjoy.”

Tia Marie was awarded a $20,000 Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant to help make the building more energy efficient with new siding, electrical, plumbing and 12-foot waterfront-facing windows. She also secured a $380,121 business loan to launch her new enterprise. Total project investment was $1.5 million.

“Several of the grants and the loans offered by our agency are designed to help small business owners expand and improve their buildings and sites, their internal operations and their workforce,” said Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Commissioner Ida Rukavina. “Our Business and Community Development staff is available to answer questions and guide business and cities through potential projects, whether that be a production winery like Smoke on the Water, a storefront on main street or a large manufacturing business in an industrial zone.”

Smoke on the Water will produce its own ciders and wines in tanks onsite and using grapes grown in Minnesota and California. Beverage manufacturing has been one of the fastest growing industries in northeastern Minnesota over the last 10 years. Brewery, cidery, winery and distillery employment rebounded quickly from the pandemic and surpassed pre-pandemic levels in under a year. The robust recovery indicates continued consumer demand and growth in an industry that connects to tourism.

“Smoke on the Water is the only restaurant on Trout Lake, making it a popular choice for boaters and anglers,” said Tia Marie. “We can host groups up to 125 people, and a small party room can accommodate 15. An outdoor deck overlooks the lake and provides access to Cotton Beach. Our future plans include an outdoor stage for live music where boaters may dock and listen.”

Tia Marie is a retired school teacher of 28 years. In addition to Smoke on the Water, she owns UnWined Up North which is located in Grand Rapids and opened in 2019. UnWined Up North won Star Tribune’s Best Wine Bar in Minnesota Award for 2021 and 2022. Smoke on the Water has five full-time and ten part-time employees and is open daily serving pizzas, sandwiches, homemade bread and soups, wine, ciders, beer and cocktails. Learn more about Smoke on the Water.

Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for business loan information.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for more information about Commercial Redevelopment grants.

Email Erik Bennett at Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Association or call him at 218-780-8061 to learn more about BER, a grant program funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and administered by AEOA.

Beverage industry source: Department of Employment & Economic Development.

Goodland Township expanded and renovated its existing 25-year-old playground to better serve the community and make it ADA compliant. Outdated and aging equipment was replaced with features that appeal to children of varying age levels and abilities. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $110,018.

The playground is a popular gathering place for Goodland families and residents who often use it for family picnics and birthday parties. It is located adjacent to a ballfield and community center that serves as a rental venue for private functions such as weddings and funerals. The facility is also utilized as a senior center, community gathering space and election polling site.

“The upgrades created a wonderful park for families and children of all ages,” said Sarah Detjen, Goodland Township resident and community volunteer. “It supports the overall quality of life in Goodland and strengthens the township’s offerings to our residents.”

Goodland Township is located in southeast Itasca County and has twice the geographic area than most townships at 12 miles long and six miles wide. The enhanced playground and adjacent community center is a focal point of the township that draws from Goodland and the surrounding areas of Warba, Sago and Floodwood Lake.

Project partners included Goodland Township, Blandin Foundation, Nashwauk Area Community Foundation, Itasca County Transportation Economic Development, Essentia Health, Minnesota Power and community volunteers.

Learn more about Goodland Township.

Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Culture & Tourism grant information.

A 130-by-50-foot paved parking lot was completed at Veterans Riverfront Park in Cook to make the park and veterans flag dedication area handicap accessible. Curbs and much needed drainage were added to the parking area to eliminate flooding that was occurring during heavy rainfalls. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $24,999 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $130,839. 

The park features a memorial honoring past, present and future veterans. There are picnic tables, grills, a flag pole, steel swings, benches, landscaping and a fence separating the park from the parking lot. An estimated 500 veterans reside within a 45-mile radius of the park. Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1757 is located in Cook, and American Legion Post 480 is in nearby Orr.

Veterans Riverfront Park began development in 2021 on an unoccupied parcel of land on the banks of the Little Fork River at the end of Cook’s main street. The project was led by local nonprofit Friends of the Parks with unanimous support from the Cook City Council.

“The park provides an outdoor community space for residents, tourists and area veterans, and the new parking lot provides greater accessibility for all visitors,” said Tammy Palmer, Friends of the Parks member. “It has benefited local businesses by drawing traffic into our community. People can share meals, gather with friends, exercise and play outdoors.”

Other project partners for the parking lot included St. Louis County, local businesses, construction unions, organizations and private individuals who donated time and money.

Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Culture & Tourism grant information.

Mesabi Symphony Orchestra hosted a final and farewell concert this past May to honor the decommissioning of the historic Goodman Auditorium in Virginia High School. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $10,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $38,581.

Internationally-known composer and conductor Dr. Rene Clausen, formerly of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, was hired to compose an original symphony score, The Sleeping Giant. The concert recognized the people of the Mesabi Iron Range and all that they have done for America. The performance paid tribute to the historic past of the Iron Range including glacial movement, Native American life, discovery of iron ore deposits, immigration, mining, industrialization and a myriad of other significant events.

Nearly 850 tickets were sold. A combined total of approximately 230 vocalists, musicians and conductors performed on stage including members of The Choralaires, Range of Voices, The Sectionals, Voices of Reason, Virginia High School Choir, Rock Ridge High School Orchestra, Mesabi Symphony Orchestra and Virginia High School alumni.  

“The concert provided a way for the community to celebrate and bid farewell to a premier performance venue which has been used by artists and performing groups for well over a century,” said Sheila Wilcox, Rock Ridge Orchestra director. “The support from the community was fantastic, and the evening’s music, artistry and historical importance were truly a reflection of what is outstanding about the Iron Range.”

Concert project partners included Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, Blandin Foundation, city of Virginia, Cuningham, DSGW Architecture, ReVive Virginia, Rock Ridge School District and Virginia Community Foundation.

Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Culture & Tourism grant information.

Note: The Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia school districts merged into one new Rock Ridge ISD in 2019 and have collaborated on the construction of a new shared school for grades 7-12 as well as upgrades to their elementary schools. The new high school will open next month and is a Career Academy focused on project-based learning designed to prepare students for both college and careers. Virginia High School and Goodman Auditorium will be demolished in September, just as students of Minnesota’s newest school district begin the school year at the state-of-the-art Rock Ridge High School.