Cook County Real Estate Investment Fund (CCREIF) purchased a vacant 6,384-square-foot building in downtown Grand Marais and transformed it into a multi-tenant commercial lease facility with two retail and seven office spaces. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $46,300 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority (EDA) for internal demolition of the Birchbark Building. Total project investment was $965,000.

Interior demolition included the removal of lighting, suspended ceilings, insulation, support structures and wall coverings. The owner also made exterior improvements to modernize the building and improve its aesthetics. Restrooms were added, and code compliancy and energy efficiency improvements were made.

The Title Team and First & Second Thrift Store are the two retail tenants. Four of the seven office spaces are leased to Earth Body Healing, Cook County Local Energy Project, North Shore Superior Pest Management, Mayhew Inn Storage and Office Space. One office space is finalizing its lease, and two office spaces remain available for lease.

“This was a very good project, and we are grateful for support from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation,” said Howard Hedstrom of CCREIF. “The project came in close to budget, and we’ve received rave reviews of the design and building's thoughtful reuse. We designed the building to be energy efficient with LED lights, air source heat pumps and high efficiency windows. We’re thrilled to occupy a great spot in downtown Grand Marais for many years to come.”

Hedstrom is one of eight local community leaders that makes up CCREIF which is an investment fund that is focused on bringing development to Cook County through strategic real estate investments. The goal is to have their investments strengthen the tax base, promote employment, and provide goods and services to stimulate business activity across the county.

The building was originally a service garage in Grand Marais. It then changed ownership and housed a bookstore and gift shop for 26 years before closing in 2021.

“Taking an existing space and remodeling it is a challenging task that requires constant communication and coordination with multiple parties to determine code requirements and what can be reused versus what needs to be replaced or upgraded. It’s exciting to see tenants in place and this building once again operating in our downtown,” said Theresa Bajda, executive director of Cook County/Grand Marais Joint EDA. “This project is an incredible example of local investors working together in their community. We are very thankful for Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s support and partnership in Cook County.”

Bajda explained that the project qualified for $10,626 in rebates from Grand Marais Public Utilities due to CCREIF’s thoughtful design and the project’s reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions.

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

Owners Bethany Ahiers and Paul Huynh utilized a Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant to help make code compliance upgrades to a building they purchased and transformed into a full-service restaurant. Red Pine Cookhouse opened for business in the summer of 2022 in the city of Emily which is about 20 miles north of Crosby.

Leading up to the opening, Bethany and Paul made extensive improvements to the building such as adding an industrial kitchen and bar. The plumbing and electrical were upgraded, new furnishings were installed, and many elements of the interior and exterior were refinished. Then with the DBR grant and their own private investment, Bethany and Paul replaced the front entry doors and air conditioning units and renovated the employee restrooms.

Red Pine offers a full menu with Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai favorites such as fried rice and lo mein, egg and spring rolls, crispy wrapped shrimp, sesame chicken, stir fry and cream cheese wontons. There are nightly and seasonal specials. View Red Pine Cookhouse menu.

“The community of Emily and the surrounding area have been so supportive of us bringing the building back to life,” said Bethany. “We are approaching our two-year anniversary of Red Pine Cookhouse this June, and we have thoroughly enjoyed being small business owners in this wonderful community.”

Emily is a small Minnesota lake town located in Crow Wing County. The area’s history is rooted in mining, logging, ricing and farming. It is now popular for year-round outdoor recreation such as lakes, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and ATV trail riding.

Red Pine is open Thursday through Sunday 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. The full kitchen operates from 4:30 to 9 p.m. with the bar and appetizers available until 1 a.m. Learn more about Red Pine Cookhouse.

Since DBR’s inception in 2018, over 55 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. DBR 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 DBR.

A new paved non-motorized trail segment was constructed within the city of Mountain Iron that provides a connection between the Parkville neighborhood on the north side of Highway 169 and various neighborhoods on the south. The new segment is just under one mile in length and allows Parkville residents to safely access the elementary and high schools, two health care clinics, community center, businesses and other destinations located along the Highway 169 corridor. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $272,845 Regional Trails grant to the city of Mountain Iron. Total project investment was $545,690.

The city previously only had one designated non-motorized connection between the south and north sides, and it is located two miles to the west of the new connector.

“The project was part of a local trails plan, and the new designated path is of great benefit to our community,” said Craig Wainio, Mountain Iron city administrator. “We were able to loop our trail system with the Mesabi Trail and provide a safe and healthy way to move about the community as well as connect to the region’s popular paved bike trail.”

Email Jim Plummer or call him at 218-274-7006 for Regional Trails grant information.