North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity (NSLCHFH) completed construction on two homes, one in Hibbing and one in Buhl. Home dedication ceremonies were held on June 30, showcasing Habitat’s work in action. Habitat staff and the new homeowners shared remarks, and tours were available to the public.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the new homes with Housing grants to NSLCHFH. The grants helped pay for utility infrastructure, sitework and construction.

Since 1995, NSLCHFH has partnered with 123 families in 15 Iron Range communities. The nonprofit organization serves homebuyers who qualify for an affordable mortgage. Qualifying households must have an annual income of at least $30,000, and their maximum income must not exceed 60% of the area median income based on family size. For example, a qualifying family of four would have an income range of $30,000 to $60,360 per year. The need for housing and willingness to partner in building the home are also factors in selecting future homeowners. For more information about applying for homeownership, visit www.nslchfh.org.

Nathan Thompson is the executive director of NSLCHFH. He explained that the IRRR grant funding helped build the two homes in Hibbing and Buhl along with constructing, completing or rehabilitating a total of 15 more across the Iron Range. Some have been completed, and others are in progress. The communities include Aurora, Buhl, Chisholm, Hibbing, Virginia and Tower.

“Habitat for Humanity has accomplished great work in our region - for housing, for people and for families. Our region is fortunate to have this organization and its volunteers committed to improving the lives of people that live here,” said IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina.

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

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in a panel discussion at FinnFest USA on Friday, Aug. 1, in Duluth. The annual festival celebrates Finnish and Finnish American culture and heritage. For over 40 years, FinnFest has featured various high level guests, expert speakers and performers, including presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, symphony orchestras and various popular artists from Finland and the United States.

Rukavina was a featured panelist on “Northern Alliances: Finland–Minnesota Leadership in Forest Innovation,” which focused on the future of sustainable forestry and wood-based industries. Topics included sustainability and stewardship, innovation and industry transformation, local identity and cultural expression, cross-board collaboration and just transition and economic resiliency.

She spoke about the economic development potential of the mass timber and forestry sectors within the Taconite Assistance Area and answered audience questions on regional opportunities for innovation and investment.

Pictured are panelists Ida Rukavina, IRRR commissioner; Jon Heyesen, co-founder and CEO of Arbor Wood Co.; Tuuli Luoranen, chair of the board, Jartek Invest Oy (Lahti, Finland); Dr. Rolf T. Weberg, executive director, Natural Resources Research Institute; and John Rajala, president, Rajala Companies/Minnesota Timber and Millwork. Pictured at far right is Ahti Westphal, founding director, AHTI Studio, who moderated the panel.

The city of Aurora held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, Aug. 1, for a new year-round recreation facility at Pine Grove Park.

The Warming Shack and Recreation Building will support both summer and winter recreation. Features include a warming shack, Zamboni garage, shelter, locker and changing rooms, and indoor space for events and recreation equipment. The facility is designed to enhance the park’s existing splash pad and outdoor rink, while also offering shelter and gathering space in all seasons.

The project is supported in part by a $30,000 Culture and Tourism grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. Danae Beaudette, community development representative, attended the event on behalf of the agency.

City officials said they are excited to see the long-envisioned project become a reality.

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

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Aug. 5 in Silver Bay for a new multi-modal trailhead designed to enhance access to outdoor recreation on the North Shore.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina spoke at the event, which also featured remarks from U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, Sen. Grant Hauschild, Sen. Keri Heintzeman, Rep. Roger Skraba, former Sen. Tom Bakk and former Rep. Rob Ecklund.

The $5.77 million project will include parking, restrooms, a visitor information kiosk and connections to nearby hiking, biking, ATV and snowmobile trails.

The project is supported by a $400,000 Regional Trails grant from IRRR, along with funding from the Minnesota Legislature through state bonding, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Transportation Alternatives Program through the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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

The Iron Range Brownfields Coalition will host a Lunch & Learn event from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Northeast Technical Services, 526 Chestnut St., in Virginia. The in-person session will highlight local brownfield redevelopment projects and provide information about opportunities available to communities, property owners and developers.

Attendees will hear updates on projects in Virginia and across the Iron Range, learn how the program can support redevelopment goals and connect with local and regional experts. Lunch will be provided. The event is free to attend. Space is limited, and registration is required. 

Register for the event.

The Iron Range Brownfields Coalition is comprised of members of the city of
Ely, city of Eveleth, city of Virginia, Range Association of Municipalities and Schools and
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. The coalition focuses its collective efforts on the Taconite Assistance Area.

Photo: Above the Range.