Aug. 20, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jordan Metsa, Communications Director
218-735-3061, Jordan.Metsa@state.mn.us
Regional economic development tour highlights business successes and opportunities on the Iron Range
 Ahead of Workforce Development Month in September, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina hosted Commissioner Matt Varilek of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and President/CEO Tony Sertich of the Northland Foundation for a regional economic development tour on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The tour included stops in Ely, Mountain Iron and Virginia.
“It was a pleasure to host Commissioner Varilek and President/CEO Sertich for this impactful day,” said Commissioner Rukavina. “We look forward to continued collaborations with DEED and the Northland Foundation as we work to create a stronger, more resilient Minnesota.”
The tour presented an array of regional businesses, including a child care center, a redevelopment project for a historic railroad depot, a facility dedicated to solar module manufacturing and a site visit to an active iron ore mine. Some of these initiatives have been effectively supported through the joint efforts of IRRR, DEED and the Northland Foundation. Furthermore, the tour sought to engage with local community leaders to gather valuable insights into their specific needs regarding business and workforce development.
“This tour was a wonderful opportunity to talk with Iron Range leaders and economic development professionals about how we can work together to grow our economy. It’s DEED’s mission to empower the growth of Minnesota’s economy, for everyone, and we’re proud to partner with IRRR and our sister agencies to make that happen,” said Commissioner Varilek.
Northland Foundation President/CEO Sertich added, “I am grateful that Commissioner Varilek took the time to be on the ground in our region to both see the impacts of past partnerships between DEED, IRRR, the Northland Foundation and other partners; and to listen to the people of the Iron Range on what our opportunities and barriers are to future success. And I am hopeful because we heard about and saw even more and better ways we can support our communities collectively.”
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 Tour Details
The day kicked off with a visit to the Happy Days Learning Center in Ely, which provides child care for up to 46 children. Happy Days is housed in the former Minnesota Revenue building, which was transformed into the Ely Area Community Hub through support from USDA, the Northland Foundation, DEED and St. Louis County. In addition, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota played a key support role in the project.
Next on the tour was a visit to a potential redevelopment project at the Train Depot in Ely. The project entails renovation of the 130-year-old depot, while adding a new brewery and indoor/outdoor event center. The long-blighted property has significant amounts of contaminated soil that requires removal. Project cost is estimated at $3.2 million. IRRR is expecting an application from the city of Ely to support Phase 1 of the project with funding via the Commercial Redevelopment grant program. Additional funding opportunities, including a DEED Contamination Cleanup Grant, are being explored.
The group then traveled to Mountain Iron for a site visit to Heliene USA, a solar module manufacturing facility. The company is the state’s only solar photovoltaic module factory and one of the nation’s few American-made module manufacturers. At the end of the plant tour, the group participated in a virtual meet and greet with Heliene President Martin Pochtaruk. Total state investments supporting Heliene are over $10 million with $5.2 million contributed by IRRR and $4.8 million by DEED.
A highlight of the day was the economic development roundtable discussion held in Virginia, including representatives from Bois Forte Tribal government, local chambers of commerce, the Range Association of Municipalities & Schools and St. Louis County. The discussion was led by Commissioner Varilek, alongside Commissioner Rukavina and President/CEO Sertich, and focused on learning about the economic development successes and challenges of northland communities.
Following the roundtable discussion, the group took part in an in-depth tour of Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine and Plant in Virginia. The mine is one of the company’s leading sources of iron ore for operations in the United States. IRRR is funded by taconite production taxes on iron ore mined at Minorca and the other area mines.
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