Countryside Apartments in West Eveleth is remodeling 42 units located in two buildings. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $78,000 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Eveleth that helped pay for internal demolition including the removal of the old flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, trims, doors, shelving and appliances. The internal demolition paved the way for the owner to fully renovate the apartments’ interior. Total project investment was $2,342,828.

Countryside Apartments is owned by Oracle Properties and is located in a private wooded setting. The complex has five total buildings with one- and two-bedroom apartments.

The newly renovated 42 apartments were all original and in need of upgrades. The renovated apartments will meet modern building codes, expand the affordable workforce housing stock in the Eveleth area and align with the city’s comprehensive plan.

"We are very excited to be nearing the completion of this exciting project. Countryside Apartments is essentially a new complex born within the strong bones of the original buildings,” said Nick Hubers of Oracle Properties. “The Quad Cities deserve quality, renovated apartments, and we are elated to contribute to this need. As the renovated one- and two-bedroom units have leased up quickly, it seems that the people of this area agree.”

Call Frank at 218-290-0263 to learn more about Countryside Apartments or request a tour of available units.

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

The Itasca Recreation Association (IRA) Civic Center in Grand Rapids was renovated with ADA, mechanical and structural improvements. An elevator was added, the parking lot was upgraded, two flexible meeting rooms were created, and the roof truss system and ice making equipment were replaced. The electrical, heating, venting and air conditioning systems were either upgraded or replaced. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $500,000 Community Infrastructure grant to the city of Grand Rapids. Total project investment was $15.5 million.

The public facility was originally constructed in 1962, and a second sheet of ice was added in 1995. It is owned by the city of Grand Rapids and hosts numerous community events, athletic and hockey functions, concerts, conventions, private banquets and weddings. According to a 2015 University of Minnesota Extension Tourism Center study, the facility has an annual economic impact of $3.4 million. 

This past November the facility received a new name, the “Yanmar Arena.” The city entered into an agreement with Yanmar Compact Equipment North America for long-term naming rights and sponsorship of the arena. Yanmar Group is a global construction equipment manufacturer. It acquired ASV Holdings in 2019, which is based in Grand Rapids and provides hundreds of jobs in the Itasca County area. Last summer, Yanmar broke ground on a new 32,000-square-foot expansion to increase its manufacturing capacity in Grand Rapids.

“Yanmar Arena is a great asset to the Grand Rapids and Itasca County economy,” said Tom Pagel, city administrator. “The facility generates money related to the tourism and hospitality industry, improves the quality of life for area residents, and serves as an excellent venue and resource for our entire school district and area businesses.”

Project partners included the city of Grand Rapids, Blandin Foundation and Yanmar. The project also received funding from a Minnesota Legislature bonding bill.

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

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation awarded a $100,000 Regional Trails grant to Iron Range Tourism Bureau (IRTB) to support its “Small Project Grants” program, which provides funding for projects that foster the development and long-term sustainability of recreational trails and facilities in Northern St. Louis County.

The “Small Project Grants” program is administered by Northern St. Louis County Trails Task Force and IRTB. The following 18 local trail projects were awarded funding totaling $100,000.

Alborn Dirt Devils: $10,000 to resurface a trail near Aerie Lake Road.

Alborn Dirt Devils: $8,200 to resurface the Alborn/Pengilly trail near Meadowlands. (Pictured above left.)

Buyck Fire Department: $1,521 to create and install signs on area snowmobile trails for riders to have the ability to report their location in an emergency situation. (Pictured above right.)

City of Biwabik: $10,000 to develop a parks and trails concept design.

City of Hibbing: $10,000 to develop a parks and trails master plan.

City of Virginia: $10,000 to conduct a scoping study for the city’s eastern recreation area.

Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club: $5,000 to replace the Kawishiwi Falls Hiking Trail Bridge.

Growing Futures, LLC: $5,528 to purchase gear for the Introduction to Wilderness offerings which provides outdoor overnight experiences to people of color.

Northern Traxx ATV Club: $980 to construct a Hibbing trail connection.

Northern Traxx ATV Club: $1,518 to redesign an ATV trail in the Hibbing-Chisholm area.

Pathblazers Snowmobile Club: $3,495 to complete classroom space at clubhouse.

Ranger Snowmobile/ATV Club: $10,000 to reroute a trail to accommodate the construction of a new solar farm in Hoyt Lakes.

Ranger Snowmobile/ATV Club: $10,000 to make safety improvements to the trail near Giants Ridge.

Ranger Snowmobile/ATV Club: $2,525 to support the Moose Trail ATV route.

St. Louis/Lake County Northeast Regional ATV Joint Powers Board: $4,300 to purchase trail counters and conduct an ATV trail use survey.

Trailhawks Snowmobile Club: $3,320 to purchase an equipment storage container.

Trailhawks Snowmobile Club: $1,113 to support the alignment engineering for a trail reroute near Rock Ridge High School.

Voyageurs Snowmobile Club: $2,500 to enhance the Winchester Lake Overlook with a shelter and picnic tables. (Pictured above left.) 

"It's great to see a high level of dedication to trail construction, trail maintenance and projects that enhance the experience for everyone who enjoys being outdoors,” said Beth Pierce, IRTB executive director. “Anything that develops or improves our trails and helps our clubs is an investment in our local quality of life and the visitor experience, and can become a tool for attracting new residents.”

Each grant required a 1:1 match that could include cash, in-kind labor, donated materials, donated professional planning and environmental services, and donated land related to the project. Eligible applicants include cities, townships, counties, nonprofits and tribal units of government within the St. Louis County and the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area.

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

The city of Gilbert made improvements to its existing arena and is adding a nine-hole disc golf course to the city park. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $11,975 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $32,426.

The Skenzich Arena (also known as “The Bubble”) is utilized year-round, as an ice-skating rink in the winter and as a community gathering and youth athletics venue in the summer. The facility’s entrances were beyond repair and were replaced with steel frames and doors to ensure safety and security.

Disc golf course baskets were installed in Hopkins Park which is about one mile from the arena. The course will soon be marked and officially open in the spring. Both projects will benefit Gilbert’s permanent residents and the seasonal visitors to West 40 RV Park & Campground and the 57-unit Sherwood Forest Campground adjacent to the 140-acre Lake Ore-Be-Gone.

Gilbert is also home to the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area, which spans 1,200 acres and has 36 miles of scenic trails. The small rural community is situated along Mesabi Trail, a 132-mile paved bicycle trail running from Grand Rapids to Ely. These four major attractions position Gilbert amidst some of the region’s premier outdoor recreation that draws visitors from across Minnesota and the Midwest.

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