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July 24, 2025
Last week, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina joined USA Curling, World Curling and the Curl Mesabi Foundation at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center to announce U.S. Steel’s $100,000 title sponsorship of the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships (PCCC), coming to Virginia and Eveleth in October. Also in attendance were IRRR Board Members Sen. Rob Farnsworth and Rep. Cal Warwas, Chrissy Bartovich of U.S. Steel, Virginia Mayor Larry Cuffe, and Phil Drobnick and Craig Perry of USA Curling.
This will be the first time the event is held in the United States, bringing 40 teams from 25 countries and shining an international spotlight on the region. Events like this not only celebrate our heritage and community pride but also create incredible economic opportunities for local businesses and tourism across the Iron Range.
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Commissioner Rukavina read a statement from Gov. Tim Walz:
“As a state known for its cold winters and love of winter sports, I’m proud that Minnesota — and our Iron Range — will host the 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships. With nearly 50 curling clubs and a rich history rooted in the sport, our state is honored to welcome an international event that celebrates athleticism and community.
“We are grateful to U.S. Steel for their generous $100,000 contribution. Their investment underscores what Minnesotans already know — that the Iron Range is a place where tradition, innovation and opportunity come together.
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“Thank you to World Curling, USA Curling, and the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation for bringing this championship to Virginia and Eveleth. The collaboration between communities, agencies, and organizations will ensure this event creates a lasting impact on local businesses, the hospitality sector, and Minnesota’s proud curling culture.
“We look forward to showing to the world what makes Minnesota — and the Iron Range — a world-class destination for curling and beyond.”
The PCCC will take place Oct. 19-26, 2025. Community members interested in volunteering or getting involved can connect with Curl Mesabi for opportunities to be part of this exciting international event.
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On July 16, Northland Foundation and North Shore Development Co. (NSDC) hosted an information session at the Mineland Reclamation facility in Chisholm regarding a new Housing Technical Assistance Program.
Northland Foundation has introduced a three-year initiative to support housing development efforts in rural northeastern Minnesota and neighboring Native nations. The funding was allocated by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 and authored by Sen. Grant Hauschild and former Rep. Dave Lislegard.
NSDC was selected to provide the technical assistance free of charge. NSDC’s founder Jason Hale and project manager Theresa Bajda have extensive backgrounds in housing, project management and local government. They led the information session in Chisholm.
Applications for technical assistance are now being accepted. Eligible applicants include:
- A city, county, housing and redevelopment authority, or economic development authority within in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake or St. Louis counties.
- A governing body within one of the following Tribal Nations: the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I) and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (District II).
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“This state-funded program being managed by Northland Foundation is a tremendous opportunity for our Iron Range cities and communities and Tribal Nations located within the Taconite Assistance Area,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR). “Housing development can have many complexities, and NSDC is available, completely free, to help our local communities and their staff navigate through projects.”
IRRR offers a Housing grant, and many communities have applied since its inception in 2023, demonstrating the demand to grow the local housing inventory. A challenge that the communities and organizations have relayed is the difficulties that can occur launching a housing development and seeing it through fruition, whether it be a new or rehabilitation project. The free technical assistance now offered by NSDC is anticipated to help area communities create a roadmap with actionable steps to obtain the housing they need.
Learn more about the free services being offered by NSDC, who is eligible and how to apply.
Email Shawn Herhusky or call him at 218-735-3067 for more information about IRRR Housing grants.
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The city of McKinley replaced playground equipment in its community park. The equipment was over 60 years old, and health and safety issues had emerged. The renovated park better serves the community as well as visitors to the area. Located adjacent to the city of Gilbert, McKinley often receives park visits from families with children who are visiting the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area, Sherwood Forest Campground and Lake Ore-Be-Gone.
According to the city, the project had significant funding and volunteer support from the Blandin Foundation, The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, Iron Range Historical Society, Minnesota-Wisconsin Playground Equipment Company, McKinley Recreation Commission and local residents.
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $15,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $111,631.
Email Danae Beaudette for Culture & Tourism grant information or call her at 218-735-3022.
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Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) hosted two workshops on July 15 at the Mineland Reclamation building in Chisholm. IRRR staff presented information and project examples of how businesses, communities, Tribal governments and nonprofits located within the Taconite Assistance Area can utilize the agency’s grants, loans and technical assistance.
Over 90 people attended the Community workshop in person or virtually, and over 65 people attended the Business workshop.
“Last week’s workshops were a tremendous opportunity to connect directly with our communities about the many funding opportunities and programs that are available to them,” said Whitney Ridlon, director of Community Development. “There are so many ways we can help get projects off the ground or move them over the finish line.”
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IRRR derives its funding from the Taconite Production Tax, and those funds are reinvested back into community, business and workforce development.
Ryan Malich is IRRR’s executive director of Business Development. He explained that the workshops help him and his staff strengthen the relationships they have with local businesses and communities. Discussions centered on loans and loan guarantees for large and small businesses, as well as grants for industrial parks, downtown revitalization and building improvements related to energy efficiency and code compliance.
IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina and Sen. Keri Heintzeman, who is an IRRR Board member representing District 6, attended portions of the workshops.
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Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina, agency staff and Sen. Grant Hauschild visited the community of Knife River on June 30.
“It was great to see firsthand how the agency’s funding has been invested into the North Shore community of Knife River,” said Rukavina. “We had the opportunity to see the progress made at the depot, and we also heard about their future priorities.”
The group toured the Knife River Heritage and Cultural Center (KRHCC) site which includes a restored train depot and a commercial fishing exhibit consisting of the historic fish tug Crusader II, an ADA-compliant viewing deck into the boat and five interpretive displays. Work is underway to help build the infrastructure needed to house the famous Leif Erikson ship.
IRRR has supported the community of Knife River with Culture & Tourism grants and most recently with $200,000 in legislatively appropriated revenue bond proceeds to support project renovations.
Learn more about the KRHCC.
Email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022 for Culture & Tourism grant information.
Pictured: From left is IRRR Director of Community Development Whitney Ridlon; IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina; Sen. Grant Hauschild, District 3; District 5 County Commissioner Rich Sve; and numerous board members of the KRHCC. Second from right is Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy.
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The Ranger is a publication of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. Our mission is to invest resources to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. The agency's grants and loans are funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.
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