Governor Tim Walz traveled to the Iron Range on Friday, June 21 to survey the extensive damage caused by the devastating floods in Cook and Biwabik. In downtown Cook, the floodwaters rose as high as five feet in some places, causing significant disruptions to the lives of local residents and businesses alike.

Throughout St. Louis County (SLC), more than 40 roads were washed out or flooded, exacerbating the situation. In Biwabik, near Giants Ridge, the water line washouts resulted in a boil water advisory and forced businesses to close their doors. This natural disaster ranks as the second-largest in SLC in the past 30 years. 

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) is collaborating closely with local, state and federal partners to provide comprehensive support and aid in the recovery of these communities.

Peacetime Emergency

On Saturday, June 22, Governor Walz declared a peacetime emergency, authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to be available to provide support for emergency flood operations as areas across the state experience extreme flood conditions. The Minnesota National Guard is in close communication with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management team to support communities across the state. The National Guard is authorized to provide support via Emergency Executive Order 24-05 in the event other state or local agencies are unable to meet the demands of the flood conditions.

“Across the state, intense rain has had catastrophic effects. Flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, causing severe damage to property and numerous road closures. As flooding continues, the National Guard is ready to step up to help our neighbors,” said Governor Walz. “Their response will provide invaluable support that will be critical in ensuring the safety of Minnesotans during this difficult time.”

View the Emergency Executive Order.

Pictured in photos above: Governor Tim Walz and IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina tour flood damage in Cook; flooding in downtown Cook; and storm damage in Biwabik.

Commissioner Ida Rukavina wrote a guest column for today's special MINE edition of the Mesabi Tribune. Her column focuses on how IRRR and the region have a long history of resilience and adapting to change as highlighted in this excerpt: 

"Our region’s roots and history exemplify resiliency and change. Our communities and families change as well. Change is a constant, and being able to adapt to that makes us resilient. It prepares us for a future that we may not be able to anticipate today.

Just like our ancestors pioneered the mining and timber industries of the early Iron Range, we are working to position our communities and people to pioneer new frontiers in mining (green steel), timber (biomass), energy (solar), transportation (automated/ EV) and even tourism (mineland reclamation)." 

Read the full column. 

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Gunflint Vue housing project was held in Grand Marais on Friday, June 14. The event celebrated the start of construction for the 51-unit, mixed-income multifamily apartment building project. IRRR supported the $10 million project with a $500,000 Development Infrastructure grant to Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority.

Whitney Ridlon, IRRR community development director, spoke at the event. Her remarks focused on the agency’s work to help address the regional housing shortage and highlighted the agency’s investments over the last year.

Read WTIP's article featuring the groundbreaking ceremony.

The Two Harbors Curling Club replaced the carpet throughout the upstairs public areas. The existing carpet was more than 30 years old. IRRR supported the project with a $5,200 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $10,546.

The facility is utilized year-round for winter and summer recreation and attracts guests from Duluth, Superior, Finland, Silver Bay and Two Harbors. During the summer months, it serves as the clubhouse, restaurant and bar for the city-owned Lakeview Golf Course. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 guests patronize the facility during the summer.

The winter months are supported by approximately 150 club members. There are four annual bonspiels, each drawing between 80 and 120 curlers, two-thirds of which are from outside the region and give an economic boost to the hotels, restaurants and retailers. The curling club staff is comprised of volunteers whose goals are to introduce people to the sport of curling and operate the club for members and visitors. The club hosts adult and youth leagues, as well as physical education classes for the Silver Bay and Two Harbors public schools in which an average of 100 children participate per school year.

“The curling club enhances the winter and summer experience on the North Shore, and it is an economic driver to the local economy,” said Kathy Ulrich, club volunteer. “The new carpet makes the club more inviting for members and visitors using the facility.”

Two Harbors Curling Club originated as the Two Harbors Jaycees Curling Club in 1963 when the DM&IR Railway gave permission to a group of curlers to flood the floor of its storehouse building. A year later the club built its own building and by 1968 added an artificial ice plant. In 1970 the club brought home its first state championship. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1991, and one year later the club constructed a new facility connected to the city’s municipal golf course clubhouse.

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

Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) hosted an open house on June 18 to showcase its new housing development in Grand Rapids. 

Itasca County HRA, in partnership with KOOTASCA Community Action and One Roof Community Housing, was awarded funding from IRRR and Minnesota Housing to construct eight single-family homes on the former Forest Lake School site in northwest Grand Rapids. The homes are in various stages of development but all will be for sale this summer. 

The homes are targeted to families earning 80% or less of the statewide area median income and affordable to those in the workforce. Using the land trust model, the homes will be made permanently affordable. Whitney Ridlon, IRRR community development director, spoke at the event and emphasized the agency’s commitment to investing in housing to help address the regional shortage.  

Read the Grand Rapids Herald-Review article featuring the open house.

Photos by Minnesota Housing.

Breitung Township made improvements to the McKinley Park Campground area. The existing playground was upgraded with new ADA-accessible play equipment. The decking of three docks and the entirety of one dock at Stuntz Bay on Lake Vermilion was replaced. A large capacity portable canopy, serving and picnic tables, a sound system and bullhorn were all added. IRRR supported the project with an $18,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $66,517.

The project aimed to provide additional outdoor recreation opportunities, safe and secure access to and from Lake Vermilion and enhanced community events and gatherings. The project aligned with the township’s Comprehensive Plan which calls for being a community where children and families can grow and thrive with safe parks and recreational facilities.

Breitung Township is larger than many other townships. It is 38.9 square miles including 23.1 miles of land and 15.8 miles of water. It is home to Minnesota’s new Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Breitung encompasses the community of Soudan, surrounding rural areas and Lake Vermilion. The township has approximately 600 year-round residents with a rapidly growing number of seasonal residents and tourists due to the new state park.

“We are fortunate to be home to Minnesota’s newest state park which complements our existing recreational facilities. Outdoor recreation is an important part of Breitung and the surrounding communities of Soudan and Tower,” said Tim Tomsich, Breitung Township chairman. “The new amenities add to the quality of life for our residents and contribute overall to the local economy by attracting visitors and providing them with more offerings.”

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

An upcoming Community Development Resources Workshop will share information on how grants and programs administered by IRRR can support local community development needs. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, July 16 at the Mineland Reclamation office in Chisholm. 

Participants may choose from one of the following options:

• 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: In-person at Mineland Reclamation.
• 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Zoom option - link to be sent at a later date.
• 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: In-person at Mineland Reclamation.
• 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Zoom option - link to be sent at a later date.

RSVP by Tuesday, July 9 to Janette.Godec@state.mn.us.

Reply with name, organization, email address, phone number and preferred session. Space for in-person sessions is limited, so early registration is recommended.