Gov. Tim Walz joined community members Wednesday, Aug. 20, to celebrate the grand opening of the new Nashwauk-Keewatin PreK-12 school. The 122,000-square-foot facility was built on a 42-acre site donated by U.S. Steel. The building replaces Keewatin Elementary and Nashwauk-Keewatin High School, two of Minnesota’s oldest schools, each more than a century old.

“This school is more than a building, it’s a commitment to our kids and the future of this community,” Walz said during the event. “For years, families here have called for a modernized space for students to learn and grow. Today, we celebrate their hard work and the bright future ahead for every student who walks through these doors.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) contributed $23.4 million from the Iron Range School and Community Development Account. The funds helped offset unanticipated construction cost increases and will cover a large portion of the district’s annual school bond payments. Funding also will contribute to the demolition of the existing school buildings in Nashwauk and Keewatin.

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina also spoke about the region’s history, highlighting how immigrant families on the Iron Range prioritized education and how the mining industry has long supported schools through production taxes and land donations. That support continues today, with a portion of the Taconite Production Tax and the region’s mineral wealth helping fund the project.

During the ceremony, the legacy and leadership of the late IRRR Commissioner Mark Phillips and Sen. David Tomassoni were recognized. They were honored for their vision and dedication, which helped make the school possible.

The community backed the project through voter-approved referendums. The state-of-the-art facility includes modern classrooms, equipped science labs, career and technical education spaces, special education rooms, small group areas, a media center, learning commons, kitchen and cafeteria, two full-sized gymnasiums, a playground and dedicated art, band and music spaces.

Mesabi Metallics marked a major step forward Wednesday, Aug. 20, in the construction of its new direct-reduced (DR) grade pellet facility near Nashwauk. A ceremony celebrated the equipment installation completion of the first of three lines inside the concentrator.

Gov. Tim Walz, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina and IRRR Board members Sen. Rob Farnsworth and Rep. Spencer Igo joined company leadership, union labor leaders and community members to mark construction progress and tour the project site.

“This project shows what’s possible when labor, industry and communities come together to build for the future,” said Walz. “Minnesota has a proud history as a leader in mining, with steelworkers that are second to none. We are excited to see this progress in Nashwauk.”

Rukavina underscored the need for sustained investment in the region’s workforce and economic growth. “Mining has always been the backbone of family-sustaining jobs on the Iron Range,” said Rukavina. “Continued investment in this industry is essential to supporting workers, strengthening our communities and ensuring that northeastern Minnesota remains a competitive and innovative region for generations to come.”

When finished, the plant will be capable of producing up to 7 million tons of DR-grade pellets annually. The DR-grade pellets will initially be sourced from crude ore in Pit 5, a former mine left by Butler Taconite, which closed in 1985. Compared with traditional blast furnace pellets, DR-grade pellets have a higher iron and lower silica content, making them essential for the growing electric arc furnace steelmaking market.

Mesabi Metallics is the third Iron Range investment in DR-grade pellet production in recent years. Cleveland-Cliffs added capacity at its Northshore Mine in 2019, and U.S. Steel expanded Keewatin Taconite in 2024. Together, the three projects bring regional capacity to more than 10 million tons per year.

The Nashwauk development has already created hundreds of construction jobs, with long-term employment expected for steelworkers, heavy equipment operators, mechanics, engineers and others once operations begin.

The project represents one of Minnesota’s largest private sector investments. To date, Mesabi Metallics has contributed over $1.9 billion in equity and plans to invest an additional $500 million to complete construction by the second quarter of 2026, with commercial operations beginning shortly thereafter.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Friday, Aug. 8, to celebrate the completion of a new inclusive playground at Lincoln Middle School in Hibbing. The Lincoln Parent Teacher Organization completed the project through a phased renovation effort.

Phase I included site preparation and the addition of new, adaptive play equipment. The finishing touches, groundwork and surfacing were completed in Phase II. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with $55,000 in Culture & Tourism grants.

The playground will serve more than 600 students at Lincoln Middle School as well as children and families in the broader Hibbing community. By including adaptive equipment, children with disabilities can use the playground and have the opportunity to play alongside their peers.

The project received significant financial and community support through donations of money and volunteer time from individuals, area businesses and philanthropic organizations.

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

The city of Nashwauk recently updated its zoning ordinance and map, establishing new standards that regulate the size and location of buildings and structures within the city. The map divided the community into zoning districts that separates uses, provided adequate space for each use and ensured that transition areas of buffers exist between distinct and incompatible uses. Example zoning districts include residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $12,000 Development Partnership grant. Total project investment was $24,000.

April Kurtock is Nashwauk’s administrator, clerk and treasurer. She explained that the process helped to identify barriers to housing and increase options for housing development to meet future demand.

Itasca County Housing and Redevelopment Authority recently completed a housing study that included Nashwauk. The study identified five main issues within Itasca County communities, one being that current zoning codes and zoning maps are obstacles to housing development. The study recommended that communities update zoning codes to add residential districts, reduce minimum lot standards and allow for a wider range of housing options.  

“The IRRR grant enabled us to hire a consultant specializing in zoning ordinance reform,” said Kurtock. “While setting the stage for sustainable housing growth was a main focus, the zoning reform initiative served the all of Nashwauk’s residents, property owners and business owners.”

The Nashwauk City Council met on June 10, 2025 for a public hearing and adopted the new zoning ordinance and official zoning map.

Providing grants to help update zoning ordinances and comprehensive plans is part of IRRR’s commitment to preparing communities for the future. Email Shawn Herhusky or call him at 218-735-3067 for more information about Development Partnership grants.

Papa Charlie’s at Lutsen Mountains ski resort opened in 1996 and operated year-round as a popular restaurant, bar and music venue for nearly 30 years. The venue was an iconic part of Lutsen Mountains and a significant contributor to Cook County’s economy, welcoming locals and visitors alike. A fire at Papa Charlies in June 2023 resulted in a total loss.

Lutsen Mountains Corporation built Charlie’s Alpine Bistro in nearly the same footprint adjacent to the ski chalet, and it opened for businesses last month. The year-round bistro is 9,300 square feet and offers a restaurant, bar, event space, eight lodging units named “Sunset Studios” and a private dining space that doubles as a bridal suite. The event space serves as a community gathering location, hosting musical duets, singers and songwriters. There is outdoor dining on a patio with views of mountain peaks and a gondola passing overhead.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with $475,000 in Community Development grants to Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority (EDA). The IRRR grants helped pay for demolition of the remaining building foundation and debris removal following the fire and upgrades to  utilities infrastructure. The infrastructure work connected the new building to a more robust water line, ensuring a stronger, more responsive sprinkler system to enhance safety. Total project investment is estimated at $8.3 million.

"The Cook County/Grand Marais Joint EDA is grateful to IRRR for their support and energized by the collaborative nature of our partnership," said Peter Clissold, EDA board president. "We look forward to our next project."

According to visitation data provided by Cook County/Grand Marais Joint EDA, Lutsen Mountains is essential to the area’s winter economy: 60% of winter visitors to the Lutsen/Tofte area and 35% of visitors to Grand Marais participate in alpine skiing. This winter activity supports sustainable lodging and service industries throughout the year. Lutsen Mountains also attracts visitors in spring, summer and fall, offering guests year-round amenities and activities. The new bistro provides employment opportunities and creates positive economic impacts to surrounding businesses.

History: Lutsen Mountains has been family-run for 75 years. The Nelson family owned and operated it for the first 32 years, and the Skinner family has owned it for the last 43 years. Both Papa Charlie’s and Charlie’s Alpine Bistro were named after Charles Skinner III. Skinner bought the resort from the Nelson family in 1980, doubled the skiable terrain and installed the Midwest's only gondola. Charles also founded Sugar Hills, a popular cross-country ski trail system located near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He is known to many as a ski industry pioneer, not only in Minnesota, but across the United States. Skinner passed away in 2021. His children and family still own and operate Lutsen Mountains.

Learn more about Charlie’s Alpine Bistro.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for more information about Commercial Redevelopment and Public Works grants.

Photos courtesy of Lutsen Mountains Resort.

The Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) celebrated three years of impact at its Milestones Celebration in Proctor on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The event brought together funders, partners, elected officials and community leaders to recognize the center’s work supporting entrepreneurs across northeastern Minnesota.

In the past three years, the Northland SBDC has provided more than 13,000 hours of consulting to 2,100 clients, helping raise $150 million in capital, launch more than 200 new businesses and create or retain nearly 8,000 jobs. The center also received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Excellence and Innovation Center Award for the Great Lakes Region in 2023, underscoring its national reputation for effectiveness. 

“Behind every one of these statistics is a partnership, a relationship and a shared commitment to helping small businesses start, grow and succeed in our region,” said Vicki Hagberg, regional director of the Northland SBDC, a program of the Northland Foundation. “Our success is built entirely on partnerships, and we cannot do this work alone.”

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Executive Director of Business Development Ryan Malich attended the event, answering questions and sharing information about IRRR programs and technical assistance available to businesses within the agency’s service area.

Looking ahead, the Northland SBDC plans to expand its work in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and trade development, continuing to strengthen the foundation for small-business success in the region.

Hello, Range! is seeking volunteers to help design and lead community-building events that will welcome new and returning residents to the Mesabi Iron Range.

The group will meet five times at Mesabi Station in Eveleth, beginning Sept. 9 and continuing Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7. Volunteers will also participate in three quarterly virtual check-ins. Organizers said participants should be ready to contribute ideas, collaborate on solutions and carry out activities that strengthen community connections.

Incentives include dinner at each meeting, a $25 Visa gift card for each in-person session attended by those who commit to all five and an additional $25 Visa gift card after completing the virtual check-ins.

Participation is limited to 25 people, with selections announced by Aug. 30. Transportation is not provided.

Interested residents are encouraged to complete the online interest form.