Feb. 25, 2025

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jordan Metsa, Communications Director

218-735-3061, Jordan.Metsa@state.mn.us

Over $9 million invested into business, community and workforce development in the Taconite Assistance Area

At today's Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Board meeting, approximately $9 million in projects were reviewed that are expected to grow existing businesses, support child care, modernize infrastructure and public facilities, upgrade essential services and increase the housing inventory. Total project investment into the region is over $83.6 million.

Business Development Loans: $571,500

Agency Investment: $571,500 | Total Project Investment: $1,293,000

• Northern Expanding Industrial d/b/a Aremco, Grand Rapids: $72,500 to purchase commercial real estate, which the company is currently renting.
• Sure-Fab LLC, Two Harbors: $50,000 to purchase a CNC lathe machine to conduct turning work internally and reduce lead times.
• Airmark Inc. d/b/a Nelson Wood Shims, Cohasset: $449,000: to update operations with robotic and automated equipment, which will increase efficiencies and allow the company to be more competitive with foreign production costs.

Child Care Development Project: $620,000

Agency Investment: $620,000 | Total Project Investment: $970,000

• Iron Range Learning and Development Center d/b/a Apple Tree Learning Center: $350,000 Bank Participation Loan and $270,000 Development Partnership Grant to purchase an existing child care facility building in Eveleth and relocate Apple Tree’s operations there from Virginia. The Virginia facility that currently houses Apple Tree is beyond its useful life and requires significant restoration. The relocation will allow Apple Tree to expand their services and preserve approximately 142 child care slots. The relocation will help address the regional needs of business and industry located in the Quad Cities area as they work to attract and retain workforce.  

Public Works Grants: $1,851,000

Agency Investment: $1,851,000 | Total Project Investment: $42,681,631

• City of Aitkin: $165,000 to reconstruct the runway and taxiway at Aitkin Municipal Airport.
• Biwabik Township: $161,000 to expand the township’s firehall to allow for increased firefighting services, additional equipment and training opportunities. The firehall provides essential fire and rescue services to Biwabik Township and surrounding communities.
• City of Ely: $200,000 to upgrade utilities and reconstruct roadways in conjunction with St. Louis County on a complete urban reconstruction.
• City of Keewatin: $53,000 to upgrade the city’s firehall, including a new roof and exterior tuckpointing. The firehall provides essential fire and rescue services to Keewatin and surrounding communities.
• City of Orr: $260,000 to upgrade infrastructure, including sewer line replacement within the wastewater treatment plant, waterline upgrades on Second Avenue East and airport lighting replacement at Orr Regional Airport.
• City of Orr: $130,000 to construct a four-unit T-hangar at Orr Regional Airport, replacing one that is beyond repair.
• City of Tower: $482,000 to construct water, sewer and electric utility infrastructure for development of six newly constructed sustainable single-family homes on the East Two River.
• City of Virginia: $400,000 to upgrade the HVAC at Virginia Indoor Tennis and Pickleball Club and add a solar array to a new public safety facility that is currently under construction.

Housing Grants: $6,000,000

Agency Investment: $6,000,000 | Total Project Investment: $38,693,490

• Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA): $300,000 to pilot a rental rehabilitation program that will offer 20 forgivable loans to rental property owners in Eveleth, Gilbert, Mountain Iron and Virginia. The program aims to elevate existing rental properties to meet industry-recognized housing standards.
• City of Babbitt: $1,450,000 to construct utility infrastructure, roads and sitework to create 18 single-family lots and one site for up to 12 twin/townhomes and one multi-family apartment building.
• City of Cook: $180,000 to construct utility infrastructure, roadway and sitework to create nine single-family lots. Cook experienced a devastating flood in June 2024 that caused extensive damage to community infrastructure, businesses and homes. The new lots are located above the floodplain elevation, providing both the city and prospective residents assurance against future flood damage.
• Cook County Housing & Redevelopment Authority: $112,000 to extend utility infrastructure to two sites that have been acquired, cleared and prepared for future construction of two single-family homes. There is a waiting list of long-term residents eager to purchase the completed homes.
• City of Eveleth: $2,000,000 to redevelop a 20-acre site in the center of the community that was previously home to the Eveleth school campus. When completed, the project will result in 28 single-family lots, a seven-acre park with recreational amenities and trails, the transformation of an existing school building into a community multi-purpose building and future opportunities for multi-family housing.
• Itasca County Habitat for Humanity: $258,000 to construct two new affordable modular homes in Marble and one new net-zero home in Grand Rapids.
• Itasca County Housing & Redevelopment Authority: $50,000 to help establish a Local Housing Trust Fund that aims to provide a steady and flexible source of money to support local housing projects. Revolving loans, grants and technical assistance will be offered through the fund.
• North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity: $750,000 to support utility infrastructure, sitework and construction of nine new home sites across several Iron Range communities. The project includes building three new homes, rehabilitating two homes, completing two homes that have finished foundations and constructing foundations for two homes that will be built in early 2026.
• Trellis Co.: $250,000 to rehabilitate 54 housing units at Hilltop Manor in Eveleth, a six-story building that offers affordable housing.
• Virginia Housing & Redevelopment Authority (VHRA): $650,000 to support VHRA’s acquisition of Washington Manor from the city, a 63-unit market-rate apartment building for seniors age 55 and older. The building will be rehabilitated through essential capital improvements and a steam conversion.

IRRR is funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry. The projects reviewed at today’s board meeting support the agency’s fiscal year 2025 spending plan which funds projects in business, community and workforce development in the Taconite Assistance Area.