The new facility offers larger vehicle bays, upgraded technology, training space, living quarters and cold storage. Located on Second Avenue South, there is quick access for public safety vehicles to the city streets and Highway 53. A future solar array is planned to support the facility’s electrical needs. The array is part of the city’s Renewable Energy Plan and is supported by a portion of IRRR’s Community Development grants.

The Virginia Fire and Police Departments have served the community for over 125 years. The original fire hall, built in 1895, faced structural problems in the apparatus bays and did not provide separate sleeping or locker areas for female firefighters. Although it was used for regional training, the building often lacked the necessary space.

The police department operated out of city hall, built in 1905, which also had significant space limitations. There was not enough room for staff lockers, processing or suspect interviews. The building lacked secure storage for equipment, firearms, munitions and evidence, as well as garage space for vehicles. Because the lobby was shared with city hall, there was no private area for the public to meet with officers.

The new facility offers the opportunity for all of the city’s emergency response and law enforcement teams to be housed under one roof and work side-by-side. The co-location is expected to bring greater efficiencies and collaboration.

In addition to the IRRR grants, the project received funding from the city of Virginia, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the 2020 Minnesota State Bonding bill.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for Community Development grant information.

Participants in this year’s weeklong Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC), hosted by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM), spent Thursday, Sept. 25, exploring the Iron Range’s key industries. The full-day tour, organized by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), highlighted the region’s strengths in taconite mining, tourism and small business growth.

Accredited by the International Economic Development Council, the BEDC is a five-day professional training program designed to build foundational knowledge for those pursuing or advancing careers in economic development. EDAM, a statewide organization supporting economic developers through education, advocacy and networking, coordinates the annual course.

The Iron Range tour began with a visit to United States Steel's Minntac facility in Mountain Iron, one of North America’s largest taconite mining operations. Attendees learned about iron ore processing, modern mining technology and safety practices.

At the Mineland Reclamation building in Chisholm, IRRR representatives discussed the region’s economic landscape. Whitney Ridlon, IRRR’s director of community development, shared an overview of current initiatives. Jason Janisch, climate, energy and mining policy advisor, provided updates on mining and production tax policy, while KeKe Stephenson, research analyst, outlined workforce development trends across the Iron Range.

Afternoon sessions focused on reclamation and entrepreneurship, including a presentation by Meghan Blair of Barr Engineering on mineland restoration and Vicki Hagberg from the Northland Small Business Development Center on entrepreneurial resources. Jen and Nick Gigliotti, owners of 30West Fit & Rec, and Chisholm City Administrator Stephanie Skraba also discussed local business growth.

The day concluded with a walking tour of the Redhead Mountain Bike Park, where participants saw firsthand how reclamation and recreation investment are driving new economic opportunities in northeastern Minnesota.

The Two Harbors Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior and is now operated as a Private Aid to Navigation by the Lake County Historical Society. It has been a recognizable landmark between Agate and Burlington Bays for over 130 years. The historical society and volunteers recently installed a new modern rotational beacon, replacing a stationary flashing model that was on loan from the U.S. Coast Guard since 2019 when the prior rotational beacon broke beyond repair.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $4,721 Culture & Tourism grant that helped pay for the replacement of cracked panes of glass in the lens room of the lighthouse tower. Total project investment is estimated at $40,000.

The lighthouse is deeply rooted in the region’s history and industrial development. By 1885 nearly 225,000 tons of iron ore were moving through the docks at Agate Bay. With the growing marine traffic, the Vessel Owners Association and the U.S. Lighthouse Association urged the federal government to establish a lighthouse and fog signal building to improve navigation and safety. Congress then allocated $10,000 for construction of a lighthouse, and it was completed in late 1892.

The lighthouse complex has remained relatively unchanged and in 1984 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historical society began offering tours of the complex in 1988 and took ownership of the lighthouse and complex in 1999 through the legislative efforts of Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar. The ownership transfer enabled the historical society to operate a bed-and-breakfast in the keeper's quarters, which helps fund the preservation of the historic site.

The lighthouse museum is open daily mid-May through mid-October with self-guided experience. The bed-and-breakfast is available year-round, and guests may be lighthouse keeper for an evening.

Project support included the donation of time and money by community volunteers. Leon (Jake) Jacobsen, Tom Koehler, Brad Ronning, Todd Ronning, Joe Zastera and Master Electrician Blake Prince from Co-Op Light and Power were instrumental to the project's success.

Learn more about the Two Harbors Lighthouse.

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

Itasca County Land Department upgraded Bass Lake Park & Campground, a wooded 691-acre county park located in Effie and surrounding Bass, Sucker and Erskine lakes. New elements include a pavilion, bathroom facility, wastewater dump station and well house. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant and a $100,000 Public Works grant. Total project investment is estimated at $371,000.

The new pavilion is 20 feet by 20 feet with grills and four picnic tables, two are ADA accessible. Replacing an outdated model, a new vault toilet system is ADA accessible and more conveniently located for septic pump trucks. The new dump station was required by the Minnesota Department of Health and includes a well house with potable water for the campground and pressurized non-potable water for the dump station. The dump station and well house portion of the project resolved public health and safety concerns and kept the park open to campers.

The park has 37 RV/camper sites and six tent sites. There is a picnic area with a nearby fishing pier, a boat launch and swimming beach. Fishing is popular in the nearby lakes, and trails provide opportunity for hiking, wildlife observation, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and OHV use.

The recent upgrades were Phase 2 of the park’s improvement plan. Phase 1 added 14 new RV campsites, upgraded 16 sites with full electrical hookup and implemented an online reservation system. The park’s road system was repaired, and the swimming area received a new retaining wall and improvements to the beach.

Sara Thompson is the Itasca County Land Department’s forest recreation specialist. She explained that the campground has become a very popular destination drawing over 1,400 visitors annually. Park visitation began to rise in 2020 and has remained strong since.

Learn more about the Bass Lake Park & Campground.

Email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010 for Public Works grant information.

The City of Cook Economic Recovery Fund is providing financial assistance to local businesses impacted by the summer 2024 flood.

Administered by the Entrepreneur Fund in partnership with the city of Cook and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, the program offers low-interest loans designed to help businesses repair facilities, restock inventory and cover working capital needs.

Loans up to $250,000 are available at a 2% interest rate. Half of the loan may be forgiven after five years if the business meets conditions established under the program guidelines. 

Eligible applicants include businesses that were operating within Cook city limits as of June 19, 2024. Businesses that are currently closed but plan to reopen may also qualify.

Funding is available through 2025, and interested business owners are encouraged to apply soon. For more information or to begin the application process, contact Emily Roose, business advisor with the Entrepreneur Fund, at emilyr@efund.org or (515) 306-8342.

The 21st Annual Greater Minnesota Government Procurement Fair will take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton. The free event is open to all businesses, and registration is required.

The fair features eight workshops, a trade show with more than 20 exhibitors and extended networking opportunities with representatives from state and federal agencies, large businesses and resource providers. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation will be among the exhibitors.

The event, hosted by the Minnesota APEX Accelerator program, is designed to help small businesses navigate government contracting, access certifications and connect with procurement specialists.

Register for the procurement fair.