A groundbreaking ceremony for a new industrial park in the city of Aurora was held on Thursday, July 25. Located northeast of the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 135 and County Road 100, the West Industrial Park will create new industrial space in the region and help attract and accommodate potential new manufacturing businesses.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $20,000 Development Partnership grant to begin the park development process, followed by a $9 million Site Ready grant to help pay for the infrastructure and utilities to serve approximately 80 acres of park land. The agency will also provide the Aurora Economic Development Authority (AEDA) with a $6 million business loan to construct a 30,000-square-foot building to be leased to future manufacturing tenant(s). The city will retain ownership of the industrial property, except for the building which will be owned by AEDA.

“One of our primary goals is to help diversify the economy and assist communities and businesses across the Taconite Assistance Area,” said IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina. “The new site in Aurora creates much needed additional industrial space in the region and brings great potential and possibilities to the east Iron Range for attracting manufacturing businesses seeking to relocate or expand their operations." 

“Aurora is excited about the prospect of finally having an industrial site to attract and accommodate much needed potential new employment and associated economic activity,” said Aurora Mayor Doug Gregor. “Since LTV’s closure years ago, there has been a reduction in the commercial sector of the community. As an older city, Aurora also suffers from having one of the lowest per capita income levels in the region. This new project brings the opportunity to expand the tax base and increase the population in Aurora and the surrounding communities.”

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, a reception, hosted by contractor Bolton & Menk, was held at the Aurora Community Center.

IRRR has invested in other industrial sites and buildings such as the Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing facility owned by Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority.

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in FinnFest USA on Friday, July 26 in Duluth. The festival celebrated Finnish and Finnish American culture and heritage. She was a guest on the Women in Leadership panel, which focused on how women who become societal and governmental leaders face challenges when they aspire to high-level positions.

Panelists represented government, education, the church and Tribal communities. Rukavina answered questions and provided information on her professional experiences being a female public service and economic development leader in northeastern Minnesota.

Pictured are Hanna Snellman, vice rector, University of Helsinki; Hanna Erpestad, panel moderator; Ida Rukavina, IRRR commissioner; and Tiina Talvitie, pastor, Agricola Lutheran Church of New York City. 

Arrow Auto Glass & Door owners, brothers Jerry and Jeff Stimac, utilized a Loan Guaranty from IRRR for a line of credit for working capital. For over 75 years, Arrow Auto Supply Co. Inc. in Virginia has provided automotive paint, tools and supplies; residential and commercial glass; and, steel and aluminum door sales and services. Jerry and Jeff began the process of purchasing the business in 2021. They completed the majority purchase in 2024 with the goal to expand the company’s current position in the commercial windows and door sector.

Area residents rely on Arrow Auto for windshield repair and replacement services, vehicle camera calibration, and automotive paint, tools and supplies. The company supplies residential glass shower doors and glass shower enclosures, along with residential window glass replacement and mirror installation. For their commercial customers, Arrow Auto deals with heavy duty construction equipment glass and storefront doors and windows. They are the only place on the Iron Range to offer ballistic doors and windows, and they are the official Platinum PPG Automotive Paint dealer of northern Minnesota.

Jerry and Jeff are Iron Range natives who grew up in Hibbing. Jerry has a background in Auto Body and has worked at Arrow Auto since 2005. He graduated from Saint Cloud Community & Technical College and manages the hands-on and daily operations at Arrow Auto. Jeff leads the commercial sales, marketing and operations for the company. He has worked there since 2018, and prior to that he served in various vice president of sales and operations roles at technology companies in the Twin Cities.

"Our mission is to honor Arrow Auto’s tradition of excellence, while at the same time elevating the customer experience and continue expanding services to the commercial sector,” said Jeff. “Some of the new initiatives we are doing are minimizing inconvenience for our clients through loaner vehicles, ongoing investment in training and technology, and ensuring the highest quality work on every project.”

Arrow Auto is committed to being the Iron Range’s most comprehensive glass and door solution provider.

Learn more about Arrow Auto Glass & Door.

Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for loan guaranty and business assistance information.

The city of Hoyt Lakes constructed a new covered shelter in their Midway Recreation Area, the city’s most popular park which is located adjacent to the main downtown thoroughfare. The new structure is a community gathering space that is used by local residents and visitors to the region. IRRR supported the project with a $50,000 Downtown Streetscapes grant. Total project investment was $397,401.

Midway Recreation Area is approximately 14 acres and home base for Hoyt Lakes' annual Water Carnival which attracts about 5,000 people. Hoyt Lakes is also the host city for Bicycling Around Minnesota (BAM)’s annual four-day ride each summer. The event draws over 300 bicyclists who have the option to camp in the park during their stay. The city added picnic tables at the new shelter and improved the park’s tennis courts, pickleball court and skate park and added a disc golf course and basketball court.

IRRR also awarded Hoyt Lakes a $37,600 Regional Trails grant to resurface the biking and walking trails and the trailhead parking lot at Midway. The trails connect to Fisherman’s Point Campground, downtown businesses, community amenities and the municipal golf course. The resurfacing project is in the process of being completed, and total project is estimated at $75,200.

“The new Midway shelter is a great addition to our community and may be used by local residents, clubs and organizations to host events such as reunions, parties and receptions,” said Becky Lammi, city administrator. “The new amenities and resurfaced trails have the potential to generate more traffic for downtown area businesses and upholds the city’s commitment to creating and maintaining excellent parks and recreation facilities.”

Beginning last year, the Downtown Streetscapes grant merged with the Culture & Tourism grant. Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Culture & Tourism grant information.

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

Lights in the Pines, northern Minnesota’s largest drive-through light display, was added as a seasonal attraction to the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids. IRRR supported the project with a $8,903 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $231,000.

The commercial light display made its debut last year and will re-open this holiday season, Nov. 22 through Dec. 23. It is located in the newly developed RV park within the fairgrounds and allows vehicles to drive through and view the various designs that are professionally designed and constructed and sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Guests may then visit Santaland to have professional photos taken with Santa Claus and The Grinch. Hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and Lights in the Pines merchandise are available for sale.

The display is managed by the nonprofit charity, Itasca County Agricultural Association. The association offers local nonprofits and student organizations the opportunity to work the event and earn funds for their groups. The remainder of funds earned from light display admissions go towards purchases to benefit the Itasca County Fairgrounds such as a metal canopy to cover the livestock arena.

“Lights in the Pines is helping to drive tourism and commerce in Itasca County during November and December,” said Lori Huber, director of Itasca County Agricultural Association. “Area restaurants, bars, resorts, hotels, convenience stores and small businesses can all benefit from the economic impact of this new attraction.”

Learn more about Lights in the Pines.

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