Paul Bunyan Communications (PBC) is currently extending one of the fastest rural all-fiber optic networks in the United States, the GigaZone™ to approximately 2,000 unserved locations in rural St. Louis County. The expansion includes five project areas:

• Angora, Alango and Beatty Townships Area: More than 300 locations south of Cook.
• Balkan Township Area: More than 550 locations north of Chisholm.
• Pike, Sandy and Wuori Townships Area: More than 645 locations north of Virginia and east of Britt.
• French and Bearville Townships Area: More than 200 locations east and north of Side Lake including Perch Lake, Luna Lake and Beatrice Lake.
• Great Scott Township Area: More than 350 locations including Dark Lake, Clear Lake, Lake Fourteen and Lake Leander.

All of the locations will soon have access to fiber optic fast broadband with speeds up to 10 Gbps, along with voice telephone services. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation awarded a $217,000 Broadband Infrastructure grant to PBC to help pay for the expansion in the Great Scott area.

Other funding partners across the five project areas include the St. Louis County Broadband Grant Program, the State of Minnesota’s Low-Density Population Grant Program, the USDA ReConnect 3 Grant Program, Angora Township, Balkan Township, Wuori Township and PBC.

Construction is underway, and services are expected to be available by winter. Anyone interested in getting connected to the all-fiber optic broadband network may now sign up for service. People may sign up online, by phone or in person at the PBC Grand Rapids Customer Service & Technology Center. To check if a specific location is within an expansion area and to sign up to get connected, visit www.gigazone.com.

Email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004 for Broadband Infrastructure grant information.

The city of Chisholm recently renovated a 25-year-old community park next to the Kiwanis Splash Pad, which spans 2,600 square feet and opened last summer. Both the splash pad and the updated park now meet ADA standards. Improvements included resurfacing the park, installing new play equipment and adding a paved path that links the two amenities. The revitalized complex has become a popular gathering spot for residents and visitors alike. Access to the park and splash pad is free and open to the public.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $25,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $185,000.

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

Economic development professionals, elected officials and community leaders gathered June 18 for the quarterly membership meeting of the Iron Range Economic Alliance (IREA) at Mineland Reclamation in Chisholm. 

The meeting focused on advancing regional priorities and strategies for economic growth in northeastern Minnesota.

A key portion of the agenda featured a legislative discussion moderated by Paul Peltier, executive director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools. U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, State Sen. Robert Farnsworth, State Rep. Cal Warwas and State Rep. Roger Skraba shared updates on federal and state legislative efforts impacting the region.

Julie Lucas, executive director of MiningMinnesota, provided an overview of current mining industry trends. Peltier also presented updates on brownfields redevelopment initiatives.

Janelle Greschner, director of business recruitment for Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, shared progress on a major economic development project in the city of Aurora.

Dan Cooper, IREA board chair and business development manager with Lake Country Power, highlighted current IREA initiatives and priorities.

The meeting concluded with networking and continued conversations on regional collaboration and economic advancement.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation will host a Business & Community Development Resources Workshop on Tuesday, July 15, at the Mineland Reclamation Office in Chisholm. The event will help local businesses, communities and organizations learn about available grants, loans and programs administered by the agency.

The workshop will be split into two sessions: Community Development from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and Business Development from 11 a.m. to noon. Participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions, with time set aside for networking in between.

Both sessions will provide information on how to access agency resources that support a wide range of development needs. A Zoom option will be offered, with a link provided at a later date.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, July 8. Space for the in-person sessions is limited.

Access the registration form.

The Voyageur Snowmobile Club purchased a six-wheel Argo All-Terrain Vehicle for working in wet, swampy conditions. The club widened the Yukon Trail for added safety and enjoyability and completed repairs and new approaches on one of many bridges along the Yukon Trail. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the purchase and trail work with $25,000 in legislatively approved revenue bond proceeds.*

The Voyageur Snowmobile Club was formed in 1985 as a volunteer organization. The volunteers perform grooming, trail maintenance and equipment repairs for over 85 miles of trails from Two Harbors to Isabella, including the Yukon Trail, Two Harbors Corridor and Gooseberry Spur. Learn more about the Voyageur Snowmobile Club.

*In the 2024 Minnesota legislative session, the Minerals Article Legislation/2024 Tax Omnibus Bill was passed, requiring IRRR to issue revenue bonds to finance up to 82 identified projects across the Taconite Assistance Area.