Small business owners Brandon and Rena Freeman and Luke Woeste purchased a four-story building on Howard Street in downtown Hibbing and transformed the main level into The Iron House entertainment complex, which is scheduled to open next month. The remaining levels will be renovated in the future. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $67,850 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Hibbing that helped pay for interior and exterior demolition. Total project investment was $492,350.

The owners also were awarded a Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant and a Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant to help make energy efficiency and code compliance upgrades to the building. Energy efficiency improvements were made to the lighting, insulation, windows and doors. Code compliancy improvements were related to the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems, and ADA upgrades.

The Iron House features food and beverage, four axe throwing lanes outfitted with projected targets, steel-tip interactive dart boards and Hammerschlagen competitive nailing. Axe throwing, darts and Hammerschlagen are for ages 12 and over, although the axe throwing lanes can be converted into alternative throwing lanes for kids under 12. Suited for the entire family and all ages are Infinity Game Tables with over 30 games free of charge. Infinity is an award-winning digital tabletop gaming system featuring iconic classics and new favorites.

Rena grew up in Chisholm. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth and Concordia University, St. Paul. She was a teacher for 10 years and is now a licensed real estate agent in the area, specializing in property management and leasing. Brandon grew up in Maple Lake near the Twin Cities. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and has been an investor since 2016. The Freemans relocated to the Iron Range last year and reside in Hibbing with their two daughters.

Luke is from a rural farm community in central Minnesota and a graduate of University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He first visited the Iron Range in 2010, developed a love for the area and eventually relocated to the Chisholm/Hibbing area. He has been an investor since 2020.

In addition to The Iron House, the three own and operate Freeman Investments which is involved in property management, long and short-term housing rentals.

“The city of Hibbing is excited to see this Howard Street building repurposed and revitalized with a modern-day use,” said Betsy Olivanti, Hibbing community development director. “We’ve listened to our business community about the challenges they face, and as a result connected The Iron House and others with our regional partners like IRRR and AEOA to help bring downtown buildings back to life. We couldn’t do this without our partners.”

The Iron House will be open Thursday through Sunday. Groups of up to 75 people may rent the venue for parties and special events such as birthdays, weddings and corporate team building functions.

The Iron House is now hiring for Axe Throwing Coaches and Front of House Coordinators. Learn more about these job opportunities and about The Iron House.  

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

Since BER’s inception in 2013 and DBR’s in 2018, over 630 grants combined have been awarded to help small businesses with energy efficiency and code compliancy upgrades that can result in reduced utility bills, improved building aesthetics and increased building life. BER grants are awarded in amounts up to $20,000 and DBR in amounts up to $50,000. Both programs are funded by IRRR 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.

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina delivered the commencement address at the Minnesota North College-Hibbing commencement ceremony on May 10 at the historic Hibbing High School auditorium. She shared details about her educational and career path, her vision for the region and words of inspiration for the class of 2024.

L&M Fleet Supply held a groundbreaking event for its new $55 million distribution center in Grand Rapids on May 7. The new distribution center will replace one that is operating in nearby LaPrairie but is not large enough to accommodate the company’s current operations and anticipated future growth. The new center will cover 46 acres and encompass 210,000 square feet of space, tripling the storage capacity while enhancing logistics efficiency.

The project also involves the addition of advanced computer-aided forklifts, conveyor systems for moving product within the distribution center, a sortation system to increase efficiency and a new warehouse management system to increase accuracy, visibility and systematic knowledge of inventory at all states of processing. Thirty-five to 50 new jobs are projected, and 83 jobs will be retained.

"This project will create jobs for the construction trades as the distribution center is built out and jobs for local residents when it is up and operating," said IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina. "The new facility underscores the strength of the region’s economy and why businesses are choosing to invest and expand here – whether that be businesses in the retail sector like L&M Fleet Supply or businesses in the manufacturing and clean energy sector."

IRRR supported the project with a direct loan. A January 2025 completion date is expected.

Pictured above right are Del Matteson, chief executive officer and co-owner of L&M Fleet Supply, and IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina at the groundbreaking event for the company's new distribution center.

Pictured above left are program participants at the L&M Fleet Supply groundbreaking event.

IRRR recently awarded Residential Redevelopment grants to the cities of Aurora, Chisholm, Cook, Ely, Hibbing and Virginia. The six communities received a combined total of $91,875 in grant funding to demolish 23 blighted structures that have reached the end of their useful life.

City of Aurora: $15,219 to demolish one house, two trailer houses and two garages. (Project pictured above.)

City of Chisholm: $18,585 to demolish two houses and three garages.

City of Cook: $3,630 to demolish one house.

City of Ely: $16,566 to demolish two houses and one garage. (Project pictured below.)

City of Hibbing: $36,027 to demolish six houses, one garage apartment and one garage.

City of Virginia: $1,848 to demolish one garage.

Residential Redevelopment grants help communities in the Taconite Assistance Area eliminate blight, improve property maintenance, promote health and safety and encourage economic development.

“The number one tool in our toolbox for helping to combat blighted and nuisance structures in Aurora is the IRRR Residential Redevelopment grant,” said Luke Heikkila, city administrator. “We are extremely grateful for this program and will continue to advocate and use this resource for years to come.”

Residential Redevelopment grants may be awarded to cities, townships, counties and tribal governments to demolish single-unit residential homes, residential duplexes, residential multi-unit structures, garages, sheds and barns. Homeowners interested in applying should contact their municipality. Learn more about Residential Redevelopment grants.

Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for information.

Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing LLC (Detroit Reman), a brand of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), celebrated the grand opening of its plant expansion in Hibbing on May 2, doubling the size of its manufacturing and remanufacturing footprint. This marks a significant milestone in the company's mission toward innovation and sustainability for battery electric vehicles (BEV).

The expansion allows Detroit Reman to shift its focus to BEV-specific remanufactured parts, including a dedicated space for high-voltage manufacturing components such as batteries and inverters. The facility supports the increasing demand for electric vehicle components, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Drew Backeberg, senior vice president of aftermarket for DTNA, said that the expanded facility in Hibbing underscores the company's commitment to innovation and growth in the electric vehicle sector. He said, "This expansion not only enhances our capacity and efficiency, but also positions us to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle components driving us towards a more sustainable future."

The new space will focus on the repair, remanufacturing, repurpose and recycling of commercial batteries. The facility expansion, which will add 11 new production lines by the end of 2024, underscores DTNA's commitment to supporting the ever-evolving needs of BEV customers.

"Detroit Reman is a vital part of the Iron Range economy,” said IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina. "It provides hundreds of jobs to local people and increases the region’s tax revenue. The remanufactured batteries and components will be utilized in heavy haul trucks throughout the nation to support the transportation and commercial vehicle industry. The expansion emphasizes the impact that northeastern Minnesota has on the entire nation and we are proud to play a role in the electrification and growth of this industry.”

With a total of 120,000 square feet, including 12,000 square feet dedicated to BEVs, DTNA's strategic investment reflects the growing demand for electric vehicle components in the marketplace. With a 33% increase in warehouse and storage space, the expanded facility increases efficiency and storage capacity, enabling smoother operations and faster turnaround times. 

IRRR supported the expansion project with a $10 million business loan and a $500,000 infrastructure grant to the Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority. 

Pictured above are Matt Sjoberg, IRRR executive director of development, and Wally Buegler, Detroit Reman plant operations manager, at the grand opening event in Hibbing. 

Jason Janisch joined the IRRR team on May 6 as the agency's new climate and energy policy advisor. He has a strong background in business development and expansion, strategic management and operations, finance and engineering, most recently working in regional development at ALLETE/Minnesota Power. 

In his new role, Janisch will build productive networks to develop and provide internal expertise and vision to the agency on climate, energy and integrated industrial decarbonization-related issues. He also will provide informed advice and recommendations to agency leadership regarding climate and energy policy and industry challenges and opportunities.