Northeast Technical Services, Inc. (NTS), an environmental science and engineering firm, is celebrating its 40th year on the Iron Range with a major expansion. The company has doubled its office space and acquired a new off-road CME-55 drill rig to support geotechnical and environmental drilling in remote and difficult-to-access locations.

The office expansion was supported by a Commercial Redevelopment grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR). NTS renovated an adjacent building on Chestnut Street in downtown Virginia. The building, a former brownfield site previously occupied by Goodwill Industries, underwent substantial upgrades, including the installation of a new HVAC system, windows, doors and insulation. A Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant and a Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant contributed to energy efficiency and code compliance improvements. The expanded facility now includes 18 additional offices, a dedicated field preparatory area, and a large conference room that can accommodate up to 50 people.

The new CME-55 drill rig was acquired through a bank participation loan from IRRR. It expands the company’s capacity to deliver drilling services in challenging terrain and broadens the scope of projects NTS can support.

Rick Crum, president of NTS, shared his thoughts on the expansion:

“This expansion is not just a milestone for NTS, but a meaningful step forward for our area. We are strongly committed to the Iron Range and believe that good science and engineering firms headquartered here contribute to the broader prosperity of our region. Our work is about more than just meeting client needs—it’s about strengthening the foundation of our community, creating jobs and supporting development that benefits everyone.”

Founded in 1985, NTS has grown from a six-person team to a company of 50 employees. The firm provides consulting, engineering and data management services for industrial, municipal and local government clients.

For more information about NTS, contact Rick Crum at 218-741-4290.

Email Scott Sundvall or call him at 218-735-3015 for business loan information.

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

The BER and DBR grant 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.

IRRR supported NTS with a $52,000 bank participation loan, a $20,000 BER grant and a $50,000 DBR grant. IRRR supported the city of Virginia with a $84,250 Commercial Redevelopment grant.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation hosted a booth at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Minnesota Conference, held April 7–9 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia. Agency staff connected with attendees, highlighting the vast resources available in the heart of Minnesota’s mining country.

The conference featured industry leaders presenting the latest innovations in mining safety and technology, along with high-level technical sessions covering a broad range of topics. Attendees expanded their professional networks, forged impactful connections and experienced firsthand the scale and significance of Minnesota’s mining legacy through immersive field trips to the United States Steel Minntac Mine and the Minnesota Discovery Center.

Learn more about the SME Minnesota Conference.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation recently awarded five Culture & Tourism grants. The agency invests approximately $600,000 annually into the grant program. The grants assist projects that support arts, culture, history, tourism and recreational activities, enhance the quality of life in the region and attract visitors.

• City of Aurora: $30,000 to construct a warming shack, a shelter and a Zamboni garage for the ice rink, along with a locker and changing area for the splash pad, all to be located in Pine Grove Park.
• French Township: $30,000 to resurface an existing multi-purpose court and construct two new pickleball courts.
• Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center: $1,275 to perform finishing work on the commercial fishing exhibit shelter.
• Lincoln Parent Teacher Organization, Hibbing: $30,000 to complete Phase II of the playground renovation, which includes the groundwork, equipment installation and accessible surfacing.
• VFW Post 4456, Gilbert: $4,175 to purchase a power wheelchair lift for veterans to safely board the parade vehicle and participate in community events.

The next Culture & Tourism grant cycle will open in July 2025. Cities, townships, nonprofits, Tribal governments and governmental entities located within the Taconite Assistance Area are eligible to apply.

Learn more about the Culture & Tourism grant program.

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

The city of Hoyt Lakes purchased two vacant adjoining buildings and is leasing them to the Ranger Snowmobile & ATV Club. The club refurbished the buildings to use them as a maintenance and storage hub to support their trail management efforts on the East Range. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $41,075 Regional Trails grant. Total project investment was $97,000.

The two buildings became available after FLOE International relocated to a different site in Hoyt Lakes. The club’s previous clubhouse had become too small to store their equipment and tools. The city offered to buy the buildings and lease them to the club. The club consists of 250 volunteers, and the new facilities provide them with a clean and safe place to work.

“The project took two vacant buildings, gave them a facelift and made it an appealing site within our community,” said Roy Beauregard, president of the Ranger Snowmobile & ATV Club. “Above all, the project promotes well-kept trails in our region, which draws visitors to our region and supports the local economies of the four cities linked by the East Range Trail. This includes gas stations, restaurants, motels, grocery stores and campgrounds.”

The club is setting aside a heated area in one of its buildings specifically for youth snowmobile and ATV training, which will take place four times a year.

Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Regional Trails grant information.

The Cook Timberwolves Snowmobile Club purchased three new pieces of equipment: a Ski-Doo Snowmobile, an Arrowhead Drag and a Caterpillar Skid Steer with bucket and brushing attachments. The new equipment will help groom the trails, including those over land and lakes. The Ski-Doo will also be used for trail rescues and for the ride test portion of Youth Snowmobile Safety certification. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) provided $100,000 in legislatively approved revenue bond proceeds* to support the purchases.

The Cook Timberwolves Snowmobile Club was formed about 40 years ago as a group of snowmobile enthusiasts. The volunteer group has grown to include over 100 members, including about 25 commercial and business members. The club maintains trails in and around the Cook area. Learn more about the Cook Timberwolves Snowmobile Club.

On the North Shore, Wild Country ATV Club purchased a new 55 horsepower tractor with a bucket loader and other attachments to maintain a 30-mile trail in Lake County that runs through the North Shore Highlands near Finland, Beaver Bay and Silver Bay. The club is 100% volunteer-driven. IRRR provided $25,000 in legislatively approved revenue bond proceeds* to support the purchase.

“We are very thankful to IRRR for this funding. Our ATV club is small, and it would have taken many years for us to be able to purchase the tractor,” said Michael Brandt, club president. “The tractor will help us maintain the trails much more efficiently. It is a key piece of equipment that we can use for multiple purposes.”

In 2023, ATV riders contributed an estimated $36.1 million in economic activity to the northeastern Minnesota region, including St. Louis, Lake and Koochiching Counties. The activity stemmed from direct spending and the ripple effects of that spending. (Source: University of Minnesota Extension study) Learn more about the Wild Country ATV Club.

*In the 2024 Minnesota legislative session, the Mineral Article Legislation/2024 Tax Omnibus Bill was enacted, requiring IRRR to issue revenue bonds to finance up to 81 identified projects across the Taconite Assistance Area.