Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in the APEX annual meeting on Jan. 23 in Duluth. She served as a guest on a panel regarding the region’s ambitions and the role that the Taconite Assistance Area plays on the state, national and international stage. She provided information and answered questions regarding housing, regional partnerships, iron supply chains, the alternative wood product market and the clean energy transition.

APEX is an economic and business development organization that serves northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The annual meeting brought together over 120 investor-members, partners and elected officials to share achievements from the past year and look to the future.

Pictured left to right are Deborah DeLuca, executive director, Duluth Seaway Port Authority; Ida Rukavina, commissioner, IRRR; Rachel Johnson, president and chief executive officer, APEX; and Lisa Bodine, co-owner and president, Giant Voices.

Small business owners Paula and David Dundas purchased Northwoods Bait & Tackle, located on the main Highway 53 corridor in Cook. The couple demolished the existing building on the property and constructed a new modern building with energy efficiencies and double the square footage. The new shop is open year-round and offers customers a wide selection of fishing gear and live bait. IRRR supported the project with a $18,955 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Cook that helped pay for building demolition.

The shop operated under different ownership for 35 years and was a popular stop for summer anglers. When the previous owner listed the shop for sale, the Dundases seized the opportunity to own and operate their own small business.

Paula is a former school teacher who grew up in Britt, Minnesota, north of Virginia. David grew up in Mountain Iron and works in the local construction industry. They now live outside of Cook on a farm with their young daughter. Paula operates the shop full time, and David works there on weekends.

“As new owners, we are determined to continue the positive reputation the business earned throughout the past three decades, and also intend to grow and expand it,” said Paula. “We’ve diversified the tackle inventory and are using Minnesota based suppliers to do that. David and I are very proud to be part of the Cook business community.”

The new Minnesota-based suppliers include Iron Range Custom Lures from Hoyt Lakes and JB Lures from Bemidji.

Paula explained that the community of Cook offers a large variety of retail options for both local residents and tourists. The customers at the Northwoods Bait Shop may also shop at Zup’s grocery store, the gas stations, liquor and hardware stores. She and David hope that the expanded offerings at their bait shop attract more visitors and generates more retail activity throughout the community.

Cook is located minutes from Lake Vermilion and welcomes thousands of people each winter and summer traveling to the region to fish and enjoy the outdoor recreation offerings. 

Learn more about Northwoods Bait & Tackle Shop.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for more information about Commercial Redevelopment grants.

Note: Cook experienced a devastating flood last June that caused extensive damage to community infrastructure, businesses and homes. The natural disaster ranks as the second-largest in St. Louis County in the past 30 years and caused damage to several other local areas. IRRR established the City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund to provide financial relief to business owners whose buildings and operations were directly impacted by the flood. Northwoods Bait & Tackle Shop was not damaged by the flood.

A vacant building in downtown Hibbing was renovated and leased to the Hibbing Elks Lodge Bar & Grill. The charitable nonprofit Fraternal Order has operated in Hibbing for 117 years and was without a home for about two years before relocating to Fourth Avenue East. The Elks has a network of nearly 2,000 lodges in communities across America. As a charitable foundation, they invest in their communities through programs that benefit youth, veterans and others. IRRR supported the project with a $18,890 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Hibbing. Total project investment was $212,860.

The building is owned by Jacob Hanson. He utilized two grants designed for small businesses located in the Taconite Assistance Area. A Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant helped him upgrade the insulation, lighting and electrical. A Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant was used to support code compliancy related to food and beverage service, occupancy, bathrooms and doors. Additional exterior enhancements are scheduled to be completed this spring.

IRRR funds the BER and DBR grant programs, which are administered through a partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). 

“Small businesses located within our agency’s service area often work with their city to transform vacant buildings into newly renovated, usable spaces,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina. “Much of the downtown revitalization occurring in the region is supported by a group of our grants that are designed to help small business owners improve their buildings and help local communities improve their main streets and commercial areas.”

Rukavina further explained that northeastern Minnesota has unique downtowns scattered throughout the region that are a vital part of the local economy and quality of life. From an economic development perspective, it is crucial to focus on preserving downtowns through the repurposing and upgrading of historical and other buildings located on main streets and nearby zones. Market values can increase when dilapidated properties are redeveloped.

In Hibbing, there have been several recent building renovations for new and existing small business, including those for Mike’s Pub, Mirror Mirror Salon, Sammy’s Pizza and The Iron House. The neighboring cities of Chisholm and Virginia have experienced a similar trend in their downtowns.

Learn more about Hibbing Elks Lodge Bar & Grill.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for more information about Commercial Redevelopment grants.

IRRR has funded the BER grant program since 2013 and DBR since 2018. Over 690 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.

Email Erik Bennett at AEOA or call him at 218-780-8061 to learn more about BER and DBR and how they can help small business owners improve their operations and buildings.

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina announces the following agency staffing updates:

Ryan Malich

Ryan Malich began serving as the executive director of development on Dec. 18. In this role, he provides leadership, strategic planning, integration and direction to the agency and its Business Development division. Malich also coordinates and implements all agency business development incentive programs, which includes developing complex financing proposals in coordination with agency partners to attract and retain businesses within the Taconite Assistance Area.

He has worked for the agency since 2019, most recently serving as a loan officer. Malich has years of experience in sales, marketing, communications and customer service and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing from the University of Minnesota Duluth. 

Sean Peyla

Sean Peyla joined the agency as the new facilities and operations manager on Dec. 9. He oversees the management of the agency’s properties and facilities. Peyla also directs long-term plans, goals and strategies for site management, new construction and development, asset management planning, maintenance and repairs of real property and assets. 

He has a strong background in facilities and operations management, most recently serving as director of facilities and mountain operations for Guest Services at Giants Ridge. Peyla earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in organization management from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

DeAnn Stish

DeAnn Stish joined the agency as the new legislative liaison  on Jan. 21. She supports and represents the agency on legislative and agency related policy matters. Stish also guides staff on legislative relations and leads and coordinates the development of agency legislative proposals, initiatives and strategies.

She brings a wealth of professional experience in legislative strategy, public policy development, economic development initiatives and stakeholder engagement. Her past experience includes serving as the executive director of the Minnesota Forest Resource Council. Stish earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and international studies from the University of Minnesota Duluth. 

Roy Smith, IRRR director of education and talent development, provided opening remarks at the Northeast Minnesota Regional Behavioral Health Summit on Jan. 22 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia. The event focused on behavioral health needs in northeastern Minnesota and mental health data trends. Better Together Behavioral Health Network and Minnesota North College hosted the event.

Mental health has emerged as a workforce and recruitment initiative, similar to child care and housing. Attendees included decision makers that can help address the mental health crisis and needs in the region, as well as employers and other stakeholders. Throughout the event, Smith connected with attendees and answered questions about the agency’s available Workforce Development grant funding.