Happy New Year. As we begin 2026, I want to thank the communities, partners and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) staff who show up every day for northeastern Minnesota.

This past year brought real progress and real hardship, often at the same time. Wildfires tested local response systems and reminded us how quickly conditions can change. School budgets tightened, forcing communities to make hard choices. And shifts in mining markets led to what we hope are temporary idlings and layoffs that continue to hit Iron Range families and communities hard. Additional layoffs have now been announced at Hibbing Taconite, impacting 37 hourly workers and eight salaried employees effective Feb. 1. This comes on top of last year’s 630 layoffs tied to idlings at Hibbing Taconite and Minorca. For laid-off miners, “temporary” still means a mortgage due, groceries to buy and uncertainty that drags on week to week.

To the miners affected, and to the businesses and communities feeling the ripple effects, please know this: IRRR is not sitting on the sidelines, and we are not waiting around for someone else to fix it. We are staying engaged with local leaders, education partners and workforce agencies to support workers now, while continuing to build long-term resilience for the region. The Iron Range has powered this state and nation for generations. Our job is to deliver the tools, investment and opportunity this region needs to keep moving forward, even when conditions are uncertain.

Investment and support

In Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025), IRRR provided more than $90 million in grants, loans and guarantees, leveraging over $360 million in total investment across the Taconite Assistance Area. 

View Building the Range, a short film showcasing three businesses that have grown with IRRR support.

Regional momentum

The region demonstrated its ability to host major events with the 2025 U.S. Steel Pan Continental Curling Championships in Virginia and Eveleth. The eight-day competition welcomed nearly 40 teams from 25 nations, drew thousands of spectators, and generated an estimated $2 million in economic impact for local businesses and tourism.

In September, IRRR hosted the second annual State of the Range. Turnout grew significantly, bringing together regional leaders and partners to review the fiscal year and discuss priorities for the year ahead.

FY26 investments so far

In the first half of FY26, IRRR approved and awarded support for core community needs, including:

• $9 million+ for 23 infrastructure and public works projects.
• Nearly $6 million for 11 housing projects.
• $850,000 for 34 culture and tourism projects.
• In partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), 90 Business Energy Retrofit grants are supporting businesses in 30 communities, and 16 Downtown Building Rehabilitation grants are supporting main street revitalization in 7 communities.
• $5.5 million in business loans and guarantees leveraging nearly $10 million in investment.
• $250,000+ in site-ready grants.

Building what comes next

Through a mix of current and long-term efforts, IRRR is supporting next-generation mining and minerals, lower-carbon steelmaking, and emerging industries such as solar manufacturing, hydrogen and helium, along with forest-based products. We are also seeing results from site readiness and manufacturing expansion, including the completed Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions facility in Hibbing and the spec building at Aurora’s West Industrial Park.

Remembering Roy

Before I close, I want to take a moment to remember our colleague Roy Smith, who passed away Oct. 14 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Roy was a respected leader whose work at IRRR and Minnesota North College advanced education and workforce development across the Iron Range and beyond. Our thoughts remain with his wife, Suzy, his daughter, Cheyenne, and their family.

Looking ahead

Although economic uncertainty may continue into 2026, IRRR will stay focused on practical investments that strengthen infrastructure, expand housing, support workforce readiness and help communities stay steady through change, including those affected by mining layoffs.

Thank you for your partnership and your commitment to the Iron Range. Wishing you a safe, healthy and strong start to the new year.

Commissioner Ida Rukavina

The presentation included information on workforce trends, labor force readiness and high-demand careers in the region. Students also learned about available educational resources and scholarships focused on northeastern Minnesota.

Mesabi East economics instructor Frank Zobitz hosted the visit and helped lead discussion with students. The visit provided students an opportunity to see how economic topics studied in the classroom connect to employment, investment and long-term community outcomes.

The Chisholm Hibbing Airport Authority (CHAA) purchased a land parcel adjacent to the Range Regional Airport (RRA) runway 13-31 which contained the blighted former Airway Bar & Restaurant, out buildings and an abandoned underground fuel storage tank. CHAA razed the buildings and returned the parcel to a greenfield. The property purchase protected the Runway Object Free Area (ROFA) as required by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics.

The ROFA is the ground surface surrounding a runway that must be clear of obstacles, except for essential, breakaway items like lights, to ensure aircraft safety during takeoffs, landings and excursions. Previous airport licenses included a waiver until CHAA was able to secure the property and plan corrective actions.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the demolition and environmental work with a $90,000 Commercial Redevelopment grant to CHAA, the governing body of RRA. Total project investment was $180,003.

CHAA Director Barrett Ziemer explained that the landowners approached the airport about a potential sale. Acquiring the property was necessary to meet federal and state runway protection zone standards and to ensure future development aligns with the airport’s Master Plan.

The airport serves northeastern Minnesota with daily Delta Air Lines jet service to Minneapolis and seasonal Sun Country charters, and hosts a growing general and business aviation sector supporting air medical services, aircraft maintenance and refurbishment, aerial firefighting, private charters and hangaring.

Learn more about Range Regional Airport.

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

An existing space at the Ely Area Hub has been renovated into a 2,475-square-foot, flexible Community Commons Room for meetings, events, celebrations and children’s indoor play. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $25,000 Culture and Tourism grant to Ely Area Community Foundation. Total project investment was $111,917.

The renovated space includes tables, chairs, modernized audiovisual equipment and children’s play equipment. Happy Days Learning Center, located within The Hub, uses the room for indoor play during inclement weather and has utilized the space more than 60 days in 2025.

The Commons Room has been widely used by residents and organizations for fundraisers, graduation and retirement parties, memorial services, wedding showers and other events. Northwoods Partners, a nonprofit tenant of The Hub, uses the room weekly for chair yoga and a dance class and other wellbeing and connection events for older adults.

The Hub Community Commons, managed by Ely Area Community Foundation, is offered to qualifying groups at no charge to ensure accessibility. According to the foundation, over 1,000 individuals have been impacted by this renovated space since its opening on April 1, 2025.

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

Small business owners Stacie and Jeremy Nelson purchased a vacant building complex in downtown Nashwauk, renovated it and opened the new space for Stacie’s custom apparel retail business. The property was a former church that consisted of two buildings connected by a breezeway, all of which had previously sustained significant water damage.

The Nelsons demolished one building and redeveloped the other into their new storefront. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the demolition with a $33,587 Commercial Redevelopment grant to the city of Nashwauk. Total project investment was $145,725.

The Nelsons were awarded two Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grants and a Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) grant totaling $57,548. With the grants and their own private investment, they made major energy efficiency and code compliance upgrades to the building, including new siding, roofing, windows, doors, mechanical systems and updated interior finishes. Note: BER and DBR programs are funded by IRRR and administered through a partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA).

Stacie originally operated her custom apparel and craft business from her home basement before outgrowing the space. The new downtown shop allowed her to expand into boutique clothing, gifts, décor and souvenirs.

Customized apparel continues to make up about half of the business, with designs in stock from the Greenway, Nashwauk-Keewatin, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Rock Ridge and Cherry school districts and other local organizations and events.

“The business has really grown since moving into the new space and the local community has been very supportive,” said Stacie. “I recently joined the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, making us an official union shop and growing my sales. The union membership opened up a lot of new opportunities for us and is generating orders from outside the region.”

Stacie grew up in Lawrence Lake and graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine. She and Jeremy plan to launch a marketing campaign in 2026 to further grow their business.

Learn more about Central Avenue Design Co.

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

Email Noah Ningen at AEOA or call him at 218-780-8061 to learn more about BER and DBR.

The Greenway Snowmobile Club purchased a PistenBully trail grooming machine to maintain 140 miles of trails in Pengilly, Marble, Swan River, Blackberry, Warba, Jacobson and surrounding areas. The club is based out of Calumet. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $49,000 Culture & Tourism grant to Greenway Snowmobile Club. Total project investment was $280,000.

The new groomer offers improved efficiency, reliability and safety. It replaces an aging unit that required frequent hydraulic system repairs, making it difficult to maintain the trail grooming schedule.

Joseph Korpi is the Greenway Snowmobile Club treasurer. He said, “Snowmobiling provides a large economic benefit to our region, and the new groomer ensures that our club volunteers can maintain area trails for many years to come. With this new machine, our volunteer crew has access to safe, modern equipment to keep the region’s trails in great shape, and ensure the riders have 140 miles of smooth trails.”

Korpi explained that in Minnesota there are over 187,000 active registered snowmobiles, and the northeastern section of the state is one of the most popular among riders. The trails maintained by Greenway Club are connected to the Iron range’s vast trail system.

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

Goodland Township completed Phase 2 renovation of their community playground. New amenities were added including a pavilion, picnic tables, grills and benches. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $13,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $62,745.

The playground is a popular gathering place for Goodland families and residents who often use it for picnics and birthday parties. It is located adjacent to a ballfield and community center that serves as a rental venue for private functions such as weddings and funerals. The center is also utilized as a senior center, community gathering space and election polling site.

The township completed Phase 1 in 2023, which upgraded the outdated and aging play equipment with features that appeal to children of varying age levels and abilities. (IRRR supported Phase 1 with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant.)

“We are very appreciative of the IRRR funding for both phases of our playground renovation,” said Sarah Detjen, Goodland Township resident and community volunteer. “The grants are helping to improve the overall quality of life in Goodland and strengthen the township’s offerings to our residents.”

Goodland Township is located in southeast Itasca County and has twice the geographic area than most townships at 12 miles long and six miles wide. The enhanced playground and adjacent Community Center is a focal point of the township that draws from Goodland and the surrounding areas of Warba, Sago and Floodwood Lake.

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