Washington Manor in Virginia is a 63-unit market rate housing complex serving seniors age 55 and over. Beginning next month, it will undergo a major capital improvement renovation. The project will replace flat roofs, repair and replace plumbing, replace individual room air conditioners and decks, modernize an elevator and perform exterior work. The parking lot may be resurfaced if the project timeline and budget permits. The facility will also transition from steam heat to meet a 2026 citywide deadline ending that service.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the improvements with a $650,000 Housing grant to Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority (VHRA). Total project investment is estimated at $4.88 million.

The manor is currently owned by the city of Virginia and operated by the VHRA. The city is transferring property ownership to the VHRA for one dollar, allowing VHRA to preserve the property and continue to operate it as one of the few senior apartment residences in the area.

VHRA will issue bonds with St. Louis County to pay for the renovations. The county’s guarantee of the bonds ensures a lower interest rate, resulting in cost savings for VHRA on payback of the loan. In addition, the Virginia Public Utilities Commission is providing a 0% interest loan to support the steam conversion.

Dana Hiltunen is the VHRA executive director. She explained that the city and the county both have a tremendous need for senior housing. Throughout the past 10 years, the Manor has had high occupancy rates, and recently has had a waiting list. The renovation project ensures that area seniors have access to quality housing.

Washington Manor was built in 1913 as the Washington School. The building was converted to apartments with one- and two-bedroom units in 1995, and an addition was constructed that expanded the facility’s footprint.

VHRA was organized in 1949, and its team of housing and maintenance professionals own and operate 275 public housing units, 80 senior market rate units and 24 student housing units in Virginia. The properties include Laurentian Manor, Columbia and Rouchleau Apartments, Alpine Village and Pine Mill Court. VHRA also manages 34 public housing units in Eveleth through a partnership with the Eveleth HRA. VHRA administers the Section 8 rental assistance program in northern St. Louis County.

“Our tenants and voucher holders represent the entire continuum of people living in our communities from small children to seniors and everyone in between,” said Hiltunen.

Email Shawn Herhusky or call him at 218-735-3067 for more information about Housing grants.

Key partners in the Minnesota forest and bio-based economy gathered on April 23 for Timber Transformations: Advancing the Mass Timber Industry in Minnesota, a half-day event focused on responsibly advancing the mass timber potential in the region.

Held at the Mineland Reclamation building, the event opened with remarks from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Commissioner Ida Rukavina and Katie Fernholz of Dovetail Partners, who also served as emcee.

The program began with an industry overview featuring Monica Haynes of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Jeremy Fauskee of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Brian Brashaw of the U.S. Forest Service and Fernholz.

A Great Lakes Initiative panel followed, exploring Midwest regional collaboration in mass timber. Panelists included Rukavina, Matt Shermoen of Itasca Economic Development Corporation, Michaela Harms of Sterling Solutions and Fernholz. Jena Mertz of Giant moderated the discussion.

The final session focused on the current state of the industry and opportunities for growth. Speakers included Patty Thielen of the Department of Natural Resources, Eric Singsaas of the Natural Resources Research Institute, Rob Busch of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters and Rukavina, who also emceed the segment.

“Northeastern Minnesota has long been at the heart of the state’s forestry and mineral industries,” said Rukavina. “The emergence of mass timber presents an exciting opportunity for both our region and all of Minnesota to expand and lead in this growing industry."

The event concluded with a Q&A and brainstorming session, encouraging participants to share ideas and continue momentum toward a sustainable mass timber economy in Minnesota.

Small business owners Christopher Bergum and Michael Mouton replaced three rooftop HVAC units with an energy efficient heating and cooling system at Fraboni’s Sausage Company in Hibbing. The heating system failed, and repair parts were unavailable due to the age of the units. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $20,000 Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant. Total project investment was $64,462.

“Unexpected, large fixes like a new heating system can put a strain on cash flow for small business owners. The BER grant saved us a substantial amount of money, and the application process and timeline to receive the support was quite amazing,” said Bergum. “We were back up and running within a week. IRRR is a champion of local business, and it is greatly appreciated.”

Fraboni’s is an iconic sausage and meat product manufacturer based in North Hibbing. It was established in 1968 by original owners Leo and Irene Fraboni. Bergum and Mouton purchased the company in 2023.

As a full-line food service distributor serving northeastern Minnesota, Fraboni’s products are currently sold at local grocery outlets in the region and are also available for purchase on the company's website. Their most popular products are porkettas, polish sausage, bratwurst, steak, chicken kiev, pasties and seasonings. They sell custom packaged gift boxes that can be direct shipped and also process deer and wild game.

Learn more about Fraboni's.

The BER grant program is funded by IRRR and administered through a partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). The grants are awarded in amounts up to $20,000 directly to small business owners with 100 employees or less. Projects may be related to energy efficiency including lighting and fixtures, building envelope air sealing, appliances, motors and equipment, insulation and ventilation, heating and cooling, window and door replacements and renewable energy. Email Erik Bennett at AEOA or call him at 218-322-6512 to learn more.

Note: IRRR provided Fraboni’s with bank participation loans in 2023 totaling $1.5 million. Email Scott Sundvall for business assistance information or call him at 218-735-3015.

Virginia and Eveleth will welcome the international curling community when they host the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships from Oct. 19–26.

“We’re proud to partner in bringing this major event to the Iron Range,” said Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation commissioner. “It reflects the deep cultural roots and international spirit of our region.”

“This is an important event for all teams involved,” said Eeva Roethlisberger, World Curling’s head of competitions. “We look forward to hosting it in Minnesota later this year.”

Gov. Tim Walz added, “The Iron Range is the perfect place for the championships. Minnesota is the top state for curling, with nearly 40 clubs and thousands of winter athletes.”

The A-Division will take place at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, while the B-Division will be held at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth. The event brings together top men’s and women’s teams from the Americas and Pacific-Asia regions, serving as a qualifier for the World Curling Championships.

The Iron Trail Motors Event Center, which opened in 2021, features two rinks and seats up to 2,000 spectators. Curl Mesabi, established in 1998, has experience on the international stage, having hosted the World Junior Championships in 2007.

The 2025 event marks the fourth edition of the Pan Continental Championships. Last year’s winners were China (men) and Canada (women).

The Legend and Quarry golf courses at Giants Ridge opened for the season on Friday, May 2. Located in Biwabik, the courses have been a part of Minnesota’s golf landscape for over a quarter of a century earning numerous national and state accolades from Golf Digest, Golfweek, GOLF Magazine, MyGolfSpy and GolfPass.

Thousands of golfers reserve their tee times every summer to play the two championship courses, making the facility central to the region’s tourism sector and summer economy. The people travel from all of Minnesota, the Midwest, across the U.S. and Canada. Many are repeat customers and familiar faces to the Giants Ridge golf staff. Others are first time guests and, based on the facility’s high level of repeat play, will likely return in the future after experiencing world class golf carved out of the rugged and scenic Mesabi Iron Range landscape.

The Quarry is the site of a former sand quarry and iron ore mine with vast Iron Range vistas. Dramatically raised tees and hazards are forged from the reclaimed and repurposed mine land. The quality and topography set it apart from other public courses in the Midwest, and it is a prime example of an industrial site successfully transformed into a recreational facility.

The Legend is situated amidst the Superior National Forest and plays through towering pines and alongside Sabin Lake. The two courses are strikingly different in nearly every way, except for providing golfers of all skill levels an unforgettable experience amidst the natural serenity of northeastern Minnesota.

In addition to its regular season, the courses host numerous events for junior high and high school golfers during May. Upcoming junior golf tournaments include:

• May 9-10 – Rock Ridge Northern Invitational.
• May 12 – Rock Ridge Girls Invitational.
• May 14 – Iron Range Conference Championship.
• May 27-29 – Minnesota State High School League, Section 7AA Girls & Boys Preliminaries & Finals.
• June 30-July 1 – Minnesota Boys Junior PGA Championship.

John Kendall is the director of golf at Giants Ridge and explained that one of the facility’s priorities is their commitment to junior golf. Hosting local school events, state wide competitions, and family friendly options during the season allows Giants Ridge to share the facility with the next generation of Minnesota golfers.

Giants Ridge is owned by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) and managed by Guest Services, a hospitality management company in the United States since 1917. Investments by IRRR into the Giants Ridge amenities and infrastructure support the facility’s significant annual economic impact of roughly $55 million.

Tee times are currently being accepted for both courses and can be reserved by calling 218-865-8030. Golf specials and packages are offered throughout the season.

In addition to golf, Giants Ridge offers lift-served mountain bike trails, hiking, a climbing wall and lake access during the summer. During the winter months, guests enjoy alpine and cross-country skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing and access to over 2,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

COMING SOON: The new Giants Ridge Pool & Sauna Haus is scheduled to open in August. Follow the updates on the Giants Ridge Facebook and Instagram pages.