There are numerous legacy mine pit lakes across northeastern Minnesota. All of them are former iron mines that over time naturally filled with water. Iron Range Resources & Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), in partnership with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), began stocking the open pit lakes in 1984 as part of its mineland reclamation work. DNR advises the agency on what pits to stock and preferred quantities.

In 2024, IRRR stocked four area lakes with approximately 5,600 rainbow trout totaling 2,800 pounds. The fish were about one-third to three-quarters of a pound each. Lakes included: Kinney Pit, Kinney; Mott Pit, Mountain Iron; St. James Pit, Aurora; and Tioga Pit, Cohasset. Fish were stocked in both the spring and the fall.

Last month, IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in fish stocking at the Mott Pit, transporting several netfuls of rainbow trout into the pit. “This is a program our agency has been funding for many years, so I wanted to see firsthand how the fish stocking takes place and get a closer look at the process,” she said. “It is exciting to see a program that dates back 40 years continue to have a positive impact in our region. For a relatively small financial investment, the program enhances regional recreation, which benefits our local communities. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to be able to reel up one of these trout when you’re out fishing!”

November is National Entrepreneurship Month in America. Northeastern Minnesota is full of entrepreneurs who have a relentless spirit of launching and operating businesses. They are men and women who have taken financial risks to turn their ideas and innovations into a profitable business. They are dedicated and hard-working pioneers in many of the region’s industries including: manufacturing, mining, timber, health care, retail, apparel, construction, industrial equipment, communications, outdoor recreation, transportation and aviation.

IRRR has the privilege of knowing and working with many of the region’s entrepreneurs who are at the center of the area’s economy. Their small, medium and large-sized businesses provide products, services and jobs to local residents. Some of them ship their products around the nation and world, and some provide services here in our local communities.

The business development staff at IRRR work to help local entrepreneurs and their businesses gain access to funding for property and building acquisition, building renovations, new building construction, machinery and equipment purchases and inventory purchases.

Learn more about how IRRR can help entrepreneurs launch a new or grow an existing business.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the entrepreneurs in northeastern Minnesota. Thank you for making our economy and communities better and stronger.    

Pictured above: Jason Wobbema, president of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in HIbbing, leads a recent facility tour. The company specializes in the design and production of safety steel wire mesh guarding for the automation sector.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan proclaimed November as Native American Heritage Month in Minnesota. It is a time of recognition, reflection and celebration of the deep and rich Native American history in Minnesota, where there are 11 Tribal Nations. Portions of four Tribal Nations are located within the IRRR service area: Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The four Tribal Nations are separate sovereign nations, and each has an independent relationship with the United States and the state of Minnesota.

IRRR Tribal Liaison Billie Isham-Gillen works to support government-to-government relations between the agency and the four Tribal Nations. Isham-Gillen brings knowledge, perspective and expertise to the agency. She and Commissioner Ida Rukavina routinely consult with the Tribal Governments to identify agency grant and loan programs that may be a good fit for Tribal business, community and workforce development projects.

Pictured above: IRRR Tribal Liaison Billie Isham-Gillen attends American Indian Day on the Hill at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on May 6. 

Email Billie Isham-Gillen or call her at 218-735-3017 for Tribal Relations information.

Learn more about IRRR’s Tribal Relations.

The city of Babbitt constructed a new wastewater treatment facility. The work included construction of three new buildings that will treat, aerate and disinfect the water. IRRR supported the project with $500,000 in Community Infrastructure grants. Total project investment was $17.5 million.

Many components of the prior facility were 50 years old, and some portions were almost 70. The outdated and inefficient system caused the city to make costly repairs throughout the past several years. The system was not economically or technologically viable to renovate.

The existing aeration tanks were repurposed, and the sewer collection system piping was relined or replaced. The new facility will meet low-level mercury limits required for permitting by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The new system will also help reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration into the sanitary sewer system, which will result in the city treating less water at the waste treatment plant and reducing annual operating costs.

“One of our agency’s core programs is Public Works, which helps communities improve, replace and modernize their infrastructure and essential services such as Babbitt’s new wastewater treatment system,“ said IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina. “Infrastructure ages and needs updating to prevent potential interruption in services. It must be modernized to meet changing technologies and accommodate the growth of a community.”

Learn more about the city of Babbitt.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for more information about Public Works (formerly Community Infrastructure) grants.

Certified Public Accountants Sholom Blake and Karen Lind made energy efficient and code compliance upgrades to their firm’s building located in downtown Grand Rapids. IRRR supported the project with a Business Energy Retrofit (BER) and a Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant.

The BER grant was used to add thermal insulation, replace the exterior doors and windows, and upgrade the electrical system. The DBR grant assisted with upgrades to the plumbing and fire suppressions system. It also supported work related to carpentry, wall finishing, painting, code compliancy and ADA elements.

Sholom Blake and Karen Lind joined their accounting practices in October of 2020 to establish the accounting firm of Blake & Lind CPAs. They acquired a building to operate their new firm and made significant upgrades to it as part of their commitment to provide their local community and residents with their professional services.

Together Blake and Lind share over 60 years of experience providing financial guidance to local individuals, businesses and organizations in the Grand Rapids area and throughout Minnesota. Their services range from basic tax management, accounting, audits, financial statements and financial planning.

Both CPAs are Grand Rapids natives. Sholom has a financial background in health care and has served in various volunteer and service roles in the Itasca County area. Lind too has been active in the community through youth sports, parks and recreation.

Learn more about Blake & Lind CPAs.

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 IRRR 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 first phase of a multi-phase improvement plan was recently completed at Timber Hall Event Center in Embarrass. Banquet tables and storage carts were purchased. New lighting and signage were installed. Bleacher seats and ticket booths where improved upon, and benches and 50-foot round pens for the fair equine events were added. Other new items include a PA system, generator and baby changing stations. IRRR supported the project with a $14,951 Culture & Tourism grant to the Embarrass Region Fair Association (ERFA). Total project investment was $29,902.

ERFA is an all-volunteer nonprofit that owns and operates Timber Hall and hosts the annual Embarrass Region Fair and other events throughout the year. ERFA serves Embarrass Township and the surrounding communities of Aurora, Babbitt, Biwabik, Breitung, Britt, Eagles Nest, Ely, Greenwood, Hoyt Lakes, Kugler, Morse, Fall Lake, Palo, Pike, Sandy, Soudan, Tower, Vermilion Lake, Waasa, White, Winton and Wuori.

Timber Hall serves approximately 10,000 people annually and has recently grown in popularity. It is available for rental year-round and can accommodate up to 450 people. It is used by community members for weddings, annual meetings, fundraisers and family reunions. The fair draws about 6,000 visitors and 300 vendor employees and volunteers.

“The Culture & Tourism grant enabled us to not only make improvements to the building, but also helped us host several new events, including the Eggstravaganza spring egg hunt which drew over 135 children,” said Tana Johnson, an ERFA director. “We were also able to implement changes to the fair operations which resulted in a higher attendance than previous years and an overwhelming amount of positive comments.”

Future phases of the improvement plan call for restoration and renovation of the Timber Hall, family restrooms, a commercial kitchen, an LED message board, ADA paths, and updated electrical, plumbing and lighting.

Learn more about the Timber Hall Event Center and Embarrass Regional Fair.

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