Sammy’s Pizza, an iconic restaurant in downtown Hibbing, expanded into an adjacent blighted building. A tavern-style bar was added and connected to the current restaurant, and the kitchen and pizza area was expanded. Both buildings were remodeled including the dining area and conference space. IRRR supported the project with a $200,000 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Hibbing that helped pay for interior demolition. Total project investment is estimated at $2.2 million.

The restaurant is locally-owned and operated by Brita and Joe Baratto, along with partners Tony and Mike Jerulle. The owners leveraged their own private investment to receive $40,000 in Business and Energy Retrofit (BER) grants and $100,000 in Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grants to make energy efficiency and code compliancy upgrades to the roof, insulation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire suppression system. They also utilized a deferred loan from the Hibbing Economic Development Authority, partially funded by a Development Partnership grant from IRRR.

“The grants from IRRR have helped us carry on the legacy and mission of Sammy’s that has centered on family, friends and traditions,” said Brita. “We are tremendously excited about this expansion and how it can contribute to the economic vitality of the Hibbing community which has supported Sammy’s Pizza for 70 years.”

Now an Iron Range tradition, Sammy’s Pizza opened on Hibbing’s Howard Street in 1954 and has remained in its original location. It has grown to 14 other locations across Minnesota and the Midwest. The 13 other Minnesota locations are in the cities of Cloquet, Coon Rapids, Duluth, Elk River, Grand Rapids, Hermantown, International Falls, Ramsey and Winona. The remaining two locations are in the cities of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Minot, North Dakota.

Each location is locally owned and operated by a family member or close friend of the original Sam and Louis Perrella family, who began Sammy’s in Hibbing. Sam, a former iron miner who owned a small café in Keewatin, heard World War II soldiers returning home to The Range from Italy tell tales of their new favorite food, pizza. Sam visited his friends in Chicago to learn about pizza and returned home to eventually launch what is now Sammy’s Pizza. Sam and Louise’s business flourished and 70 years later, fourth generation pizza makers are still using Sam and Louise’s original recipes.

“The viability of downtown Howard Street is a top priority for our community. One of the main components is helping downtown business have access to funding to make necessary improvements to their buildings,” said Hibbing Mayor Pete Hyduke. “Sammy’s Pizza has long been a major anchor in our historic downtown. The recent improvements they made are keeping our downtown and local economy vibrant today and into the future.”

In 2015, Sammy’s Pizza was inducted in PMQ Pizza Magazine’s Pizza Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to popular pizzerias in business for 50 years or longer and that are recognized as pillars in their community.

Learn more about Sammy’s Pizza.  

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 760 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 Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation 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.

The Hibbing Economic Development Authority (HEDA) celebrated the groundbreaking for a new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on Aug. 29. Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions (AMGS) will lease the facility for its operations. IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina joined city, state and economic development officials and community members for the celebration.

Rukavina highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses and the mining industry's role in the continued growth of Iron Range communities. She said,"Our agency’s mission is to strengthen and diversify the region’s economy, and this project is a prime example of that commitment." 

She also emphasized that the new manufacturing facility will create much-needed industrial space in the region while contributing to job creation, both at AMGS and in the construction trades as the facility is built out in the coming months. Rukavina concluded by thanking everyone who helped make the project possible, calling out how collaboration and innovation make northeastern Minnesota stronger - and a better place to work and live.

IRRR supported the project with a $4.5 million loan to HEDA and previous loans to AMGS for the company's growth.

Rock Ridge Public Schools hosted a grand opening celebration on Aug. 22 for its newest school, North Star Elementary in Virginia. The event highlighted the school as a testament to the community’s shared commitment and the power of collaboration and vision. IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina spoke at the event and toured the new facility.

North Star Elementary features innovative spaces and classrooms, which were made possible by the hard work of local communities and the ongoing support of the Iron Range mining industry. The approximately $40 million state-of-the-art elementary school will house 600 students and 100 staff members. 

The Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia school districts consolidated into one new district in 2020. Rock Ridge ISD #2909 built Rock Ridge High School, a new career academy for grades 7-12 that is focused on project-based learning designed to prepare students for both college and careers. Two new elementary schools were also built: Laurentian for grades PreK-6 and North Star for grades 3-6.

Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa expanded and renovated its existing outdated playground to better serve the community and make it ADA compliant. The new design has wooden forts, swings, ziplines, concrete bear sculptures and other culturally relevant features that appeal to children of varying age levels and abilities. There are covered picnic tables and benches. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $856,000.

The playground is located at Grand Portage Band’s Community Center, which houses the Oshki Ogimaag (Young Leaders) Charter School. The school provides local, quality education with an emphasis on the Anishinaabe culture to grades K-6. The Community Center is also home to a tutoring program, after school programming,  youth summer camps, fitness center, gymnasium and the Elderly Nutrition Program. The facility is used for numerous events, meetings, cooking and other enrichment classes.

“The new playground is more than just a playground. It is a place where families in our rural community can have picnics, sit in the shade and watch their kids play,” said Jared Swader, Tribal Planner. “The playground will benefit the community for years to come, by providing outdoor play for guests and our local children.”

Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is a sovereign Native American Tribal Nation whose people have lived in northeastern Minnesota for centuries. Their reservation land is located within the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area and has a population of approximately 640 and over 420 households comprised of band members, descendants and employees.

Learn more about Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

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

The Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) facilitated a lunch and learn session on Aug. 8 in Mountain Iron. IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina presented about the agency's history, future, grant and loan programs and funding through the Taconite Production Tax. An engaging group discussion followed. 

The city of Coleraine refurbished Cotton Park to enhance community access and ensure ADA compliance. Outdated and aging equipment was replaced with features that appeal to children of varying age levels and abilities, and landing material was added. IRRR supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $95,909.

Cotton Park is located on the north end of Trout Lake and near downtown businesses. There is a swimming beach, public boat landing and play area. Also nearby is Smoke on the Water, a new restaurant, production wine and cider facility that opened last year. It is the only restaurant on Trout Lake, making it a popular choice for boaters, anglers and families.

The park is easily accessible to community members and visitors, but was underutilized due to the outdated and potentially unsafe playground equipment. The new playground equipment was installed by a "community build" using volunteers under the direction of Midwest Playground Contractors, Inc.

Coleraine is nestled on the north shore of Trout Lake in north central Minnesota’s Itasca County. It was established as a Canisteo Company mining town in 1909 and named after Thomas F. Cole who was once the president of Oliver Mining Company. With a population now of 2,007 Coleraine offers abundant fishing, hunting, outdoor recreation and winter skiing at Mt. Itasca to residents and tourists.

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