Linda Enquist Vanden-Branden utilized a bank participation loan from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) to help finance the expansion of a building that houses her business Dirty Dog Manufacturing. Dirty Dog is a wholesale custom screen printing and embroidery company that services resorts, campgrounds, outfitters, camps and businesses.

The building is located in Ely’s industrial park area and was expanded from 1,200 to 3,600 square feet. It accommodates the company’s office space, inventory and equipment which includes embroidery machines and presses. Linda and her employees provide artistic design and custom embroidery for apparel such as hats, hoodies, shirts and canvas bags. Their clients are primarily located in northern Minnesota.

“I am very proud to operate a small business in my hometown of Ely,” said Linda. “Being a part of the local economy and providing jobs to local people is very important to me. Dirty Dog has excellent employees who all work together to produce custom logoed and custom designed products.”

Linda grew up in Ely, attended college in St. Cloud and then returned home in 1991. She went to work for Hand-Done T-Shirts, which was founded in 1980 by Deb Hanson in her home. Linda learned all aspects of the business from Deb including sales and growing the customer base. A few years later, the business expanded its building space and added additional employees and a four-head embroidery machine.

When Deb retired, Linda acquired the business and moved it to the building she already owned, and then expanded the building to its current size.

Learn more about Dirty Dog Manufacturing.

IRRR supported Dirty Dog Manufacturing with a bank participation loan and loan guaranties. Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for more business assistance information.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in the Entrepreneur Fund (EFund) board meeting on April 24 at CoHaus in Grand Rapids. The unique, collaborative space was the setting for a panel discussion among Rukavina, EFund CEO Shawn Wellnitz, EFund board members and guests about the future of the Iron Range.

Rukavina shared insights on how her vision for IRRR focuses on fostering flexibility and collaboration. She said, "The agency is eager to partner with businesses and communities by helping them tell a new story of growth and revitalization. Together, we can pave the way for innovation and prosperity on the Range."

The EFund partners with entrepreneurs to create growing businesses, thriving communities and a diverse regional economy. Learn more about the EFund.

Commissioner Ida Rukavina and Shawn Wellnitz are pictured at the EFund board meeting. 

The Hibbing Public Utilities Commission (PUC) completed the first phase of its capital improvement plan which involved the reconstruction of approximately 8,000 linear feet of watermain segments, the addition of 40 new valves, and the replacement or addition of 15 fire hydrants. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $500,000 Community Infrastructure grant. Total project investment was $5.08 million.

Project locations were at Stuntz Drive and Hematite Street, 18th Avenue & 27th Street, and Minnesota Street and 8th Avenue. The Hibbing PUC implemented a Watermain Capital Improvement Plan in 2022 in response to a concerning rise in the number of water breaks being caused by century old, aging infrastructure. The plan prioritized projects by need and identified these three locations as critical. The projects directly serve 171 residential properties, but will improve system-wide reliability and safety for the approximately 5,000 residential and commercial customers in Hibbing.

The original pipes were antiquated four- to six-inch cast iron pipes that were installed from 1923 to 1925. The three segments had 18 breaks within the last five years, and one location froze in 2022 due to system inadequacies.

The Watermain Capital Improvement Plan will be completed in phases and result in miles of new water line infrastructure. It will prevent future interruptions of service due to breaks, lower the risk of property damage and provide safe and reliable drinking water for the community of Hibbing.

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

Pictured above: Community stakeholders visit the 18th Ave. and 27th St. location of the watermain project in Hibbing.

The Judy Garland Museum completed a preservation project that involved a new roof with cedar shingles, storm windows and exterior and interior paint. The museum is the childhood home of the famous 20th century performing artist who was born in Grand Rapids in 1922. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $80,074.

The museum raised funds to help pay for the project at the 2022 Judy Garland 100th Birthday Celebration. Sponsorships were also sold for 25 of the new storm windows that include a brass recognition plate on the window. The local Home Depot donated the painting supplies and equipment and provided a crew of volunteers to help scrape and paint over two days.

“People from all over care deeply about this house,” said Janie Heitz, the museum’s executive director. “One of the volunteers drove four hours to help. She has attended the annual Judy Garland Festival for several years. We were posting updates of the house painting project on social media. She saw the posts, jumped in her car and headed north to be a part of the project.”

The museum was founded in 1975 and is part of Grand Rapids’ tourism economy and culture. The museum is located in Garland’s restored birthplace home and provides a gallery of educational exhibits showcasing her life and legacy. The 19th-century white-clapboard house is adjacent to the Children’s Discovery Center Museum providing visitors access to a variety of hands-on, interactive exhibits, activities and indoor and outdoor play areas.

Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm and had two older sisters. Her family ran a movie theater in Grand Rapids, and she performed song and dance with her sisters and mother. The Gumm family moved to California in 1926. She had a career in the film, theatre and music industry until she passed away in 1969 at age 47. According to Heitz, Garland publicly recalled that her fondest childhood memories were those made in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

The dual-museum site has approximately 430 members and 25,000 annual visitors. It is open to the public and area school field trips. Learn more about the Judy Garland Museum.

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

The Legend and Quarry golf courses at Giants Ridge will open for the season on Friday, May 3.

Located in Biwabik, the courses have been a part of Minnesota’s golf landscape for over a quarter of a century earning numerous national and state accolades from Golf Digest, Golfweek and GOLF magazine.

“The recent warm temperatures allowed our agronomy staff a couple of good weeks to prepare the courses for the upcoming season,” said John Kendall, director of golf at Giants Ridge. “The transition from ski season to golf can be unpredictable in our climate, and all credit goes to the crews led by our superintendents at the Quarry and Legend for getting us ready to play golf. We look forward to another busy season at Giants Ridge and have already seen an increase of groups making advance reservations this spring.”

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 quality and topography set it apart from other public courses in the Midwest, and it is a prime example of an industrial site successfully transformed into a recreational facility.

The Legend is carved out of the Superior National Forest and plays through towering pines and alongside Sabin Lake. With a commitment to excellence and hospitality, Giants Ridge provides an unforgettable golf experience for all skill levels amidst the natural serenity of northeastern Minnesota.

Giants Ridge is owned by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) and managed by Guest Services, a hospitality management company in the United States since 1917. Investments by IRRR into the Giants Ridge amenities and infrastructure support the facility’s significant annual economic impact of roughly $55 million.

In addition to championship golf, Giants Ridge 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 2024 golf trip to Giants Ridge.