U.S. Steel celebrated the successful completion of its new, DR-grade pellet facility at the Keetac iron ore mining operation in Keewatin on May 23. The $150 million upgrade enables Keetac to produce taconite pellets with a higher iron content to support greener steel production and boost the region’s economy.

Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Steel senior leaders, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina, state and local officials, local USW leadership, suppliers and key project collaborators and Keetac employees were in attendance. 

Small business owners Brent and Jill Katzenberger purchased a two-story 4,000-square-foot building in downtown Ironton and transformed it into High Wheel Confectionery and Coffee House. IRRR supported the project with a $90,000 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Ironton that helped pay for interior and exterior demolition.

There is a retail area on the main level with bulk candy, gourmet popcorn popped on site, a large selection of fudge, specialty truffles, chocolates, saltwater taffy, 16 flavors of ice cream, a full coffee bar, teas and specialty gifts. The second level features a toy shop and the High Wheel Lounge, which may be rented for groups, meetings and special events. The lower level is the Soda Cellar and features hundreds of craft bottled sodas with toys, puzzles and games.

Brent and Jill have lived in Ironton for 20 years and have four children. Brent grew up in nearby Baxter and Jill in Aitkin. Together they have purchased and renovated multiple older homes in the area. They recently pivoted to renovate their first commercial building.

The High Wheel Confectionery building, which opened last year, was the former First National Bank of Ironton and built in 1911. After the bank closed, the building’s main floor was used as a retail space with a four-bedroom apartment on the second floor. The building was vacant 15 years before Brent and Jill purchased it.

The renovation work entailed installing new windows and doors while preserving the original window trim. The bank vault was removed, and the vault door was repurposed for the bottled soda display. Some of the interior doors were also reused. The 13-foot-high ceilings were renovated to expose the solid 12-by-12 beams that had been hidden for years. The wallpaper was removed to reveal original brick walls. A small kitchen, counter space, lighting, storage and bathroom were added.

”It has been so exciting to see Ironton grow and increase in momentum as mountain bikers and tourists have found a love of this town,” said Jill. “Our goal with this endeavor was not just to open up a retail space, but to remodel the building in such a way that it stands out like a beacon and adds an incredible entrance to the town of Ironton. We hope others are inspired to do the same and invest in our downtown and community.”

Learn more about High Wheel Confectionery and Coffee House.

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

IRRR Deputy Commissioner Al Becicka spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the agency's support and the significance of the $26 million project that has been more than three years in the making. The agency supported the project with two grants to the city of Virginia for demolition and site preparation totaling $349,678. 

Becicka also read a congratulatory letter on behalf of Gov. Tim Walz.

The East Range Developmental Achievement Center (ERDAC) completed safety and handicap accessibility upgrades to its facility located in Eveleth. Improvements were made to the parking lot and sidewalks. IRRR supported the project with a $66,000 Development Infrastructure grant to the city of Eveleth. Total project investment was $200,732.

ERDAC is a private, nonprofit agency that has served adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1966. It provides job training and work opportunities for more than 90 clients with disabilities from the communities of Aurora, Babbitt, Biwabik, Buhl, Chisholm, Embarrass, Eveleth, Gilbert, Hibbing, Hoyt Lakes, Mountain Iron, Virginia and the surrounding areas.

There are eight work areas located in the facility. The items produced by the clients are sold in the onsite gift shop and include hand-loomed rag rugs, wreaths, birdhouses and other decor made from natural elements, upcycled furniture and fire starters. There is a work area that produces rags used in area mines, city public utility departments, area small engine shops and large industrial shops. ERDAC works annually with a local greenhouse to wash about 10,000 flowerpots for reuse, preventing them being disposed in a landfill.

The clients also work outside of the facility through cleaning contracts with 22 area businesses. Cleaning crews work one to five days per week at each business, depending on the contract in place. Work crews provide residential and commercial lawn mowing services. Area businesses contract with ERDAC for jobs such as assembly and packaging. All of the work crews have job training and coaching.

“The business partnerships we have in place and the work we do connects us to the local economy,” said Robin Harkonen, ERDAC executive director. “The facility improvements created a safer environment for our clients, our approximately 24 employees who work here and the public who patronize the retail store.”

Learn more about ERDAC.

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

​To help address the regional housing shortage and build the local housing capacity, IRRR dedicated $6.5 million last year for a new Housing grant program. The pilot program saw positive results in its first year. Fifteen projects were brought forth and represent a variety of housing types. The total project investment for all of them combined is over $88 million. When fully completed, the projects will create 304 new housing units, 84 rehab housing units and 67 new lots for future housing units.

IRRR staff have been on the road meeting with local community and economic development authority (EDA) leaders. The purpose is to discuss the agency’s Business and Community Development programs and how they can help local businesses and projects with funding. 

Staff are available to visit with additional community or EDA members to share information about available programming. Email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004 to schedule a visit.

Pictured in front at a recent Chisholm EDA meeting are Director of Business Recruitment Janelle Greschner, Director of Community Development Whitney Ridlon, Community Development Representative Shawn Herhusky, all of IRRR, and Northland Small Business Development Center Regional Director Vicki Hagberg. Pictured in back are members of the Chisholm EDA: City Administrator Stephanie Skraba, Shelly Lappi, Shannon Kishel-Roche, Shelley Valentini and Mayor Adam Lantz.