Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina and staff visited the community of Ely on Tuesday, Jan. 20. She was the keynote speaker at the Boundary Waters Connect Tuesday Group weekly meeting and highlighted IRRR and its positive impact to the community, businesses and people of Ely and the Taconite Assistance Area.

"It was great to be in Ely and explain how the area benefits from the many investments IRRR has made over the past several years,” Rukavina said. “We were able to highlight and discuss a range of projects related to road infrastructure, education and schools, broadband, outdoor recreation and small businesses in Ely’s downtown - all made possible by taxes paid by Minnesota’s iron mining.”

After the presentation, Rukavina appeared on the “Pulse of Ely Podcast" for a wide-ranging conversation with Ely Echo Editor Tom Coombe. She discussed her personal and professional background, provided an agency overview, detailed agency investments in Ely and outlined future opportunities.

Listen to the "Pulse of Ely Podcast" episode with Commissioner Rukavina. 

The city of Virginia completed Phase 1 planning for a city-sponsored outdoor recreation hub, including a trailhead at the east end of Chestnut Street with parking, signage and amenities. Future elements could include a skywalk overlook, skills course, nature play areas or amphitheater. The project aims to revitalize eastern downtown, expand outdoor recreation and improve non-motorized connections citywide.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $31,348 Mineland Reclamation grant to the city of Virginia to support the preliminary design study and project scoping. Total project investment was $62,697.

The site is blighted and underused, situated among a mix of private, city and state lands near the western rims of the Rouchleau-Shaw/Moose-Missabe Mountain mine pit complex, the Enterprise Pit and residential and commercial areas.

Once completed, the recreation area could boost downtown economic activity by increasing foot traffic to small businesses. It will also connect users of the Mesabi Trail, snowmobile and ATV trails to nearby attractions such as Olcott Park, Silver Lake, the Iron Trail Motors Event Center and the municipal golf course. Thousands of residents, trail users and tourists are expected to benefit annually.

As planning for the proposed recreation area progressed, the city engaged land and mineral rights owners, residents, businesses and other community stakeholders. City officials aim to implement the project within the next four years.

Virginia is home to approximately 8,700 residents, nearly half of whom live in households with children, and features both a downtown district and major retail and commercial areas. The city has schools, a community college, child care, parks, a convention center and a regional medical center. It is located along the heavily traveled Highway 53.

Learn more about the Eastern Recreation Area development.

Email Danae Beaudette for Mineland Reclamation grant information or call her at 218-735-3022.

Pictured above are concept photos of the Eastern Recreation Area.

The city of Aurora added a new warming house with an attached garage to its primary outdoor community gathering space, Pine Grove Park. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $196,787.

During the winter, the facility serves as a warming shelter and a Zamboni ice machine garage and water source for maintaining and flooding the ice-skating rink. During the summer, the facility functions as a changing area for splash pad users and a space for larger group events like birthday parties and family reunions.

The warming house is part of a larger park improvement plan that began in 2022. Using a phased approach, the city relocated the ice rink and installed new hockey boards, added a new ADA-compliant parking lot and upgraded the baseball/softball field. These improvements followed a splash pad that opened in 2021 and received widespread community use.

Pine Grove Park is located in the center of the city and offers a wooded setting with a playground, disc golf course, multi-use rink, splash pad and a baseball/softball field which is utilized by Mesabi East school district. Pine Grove is the East Range’s only outdoor non-scheduled hockey rink and serves the youth of Aurora, Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes and surrounding areas. A blacktop path passes through the park and connects to the region’s 132-mile paved Mesabi Trail.

Aurora celebrated the grand opening of the warming house on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Speakers included Aurora Mayor Doug Gregor and Luke Heikkila of Bolton & Menk, Inc. Danae Beaudette and Shelly Sallee of IRRR’s Community Development team represented the agency at the event.

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

Note: IRRR provided previous Culture & Tourism grants to support the parking lot, splash pad and other park improvements, which were developed in phases since 2020.

Cast Outdoor Adventures Inc. is a veteran-owned, 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Ely that facilitates leadership and skills development for individuals with disabilities through its Adaptive Adventure Programs. The organization recently expanded the programs with the purchase of four adaptive dogsleds. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the equipment purchase with a $6,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $12,000.

Adaptive dogsleds are capable of winter wilderness travel and off-trail adventures, including in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Each adaptive dogsled is designed for two people so that a guide can provide initial instruction with the participant then learning to drive the dog team on their own. Participants have the option to sit (rather than stand) while driving the dog team through the use of hand controls for steering the dogsled. The sleds have been used by participants with mobility limitations and traumatic brain injuries, as well as youth and veterans with disabilities.

One such veteran is Ralph DeQuebec, a double amputee wounded veteran and two-time Paralympic Sled Hockey gold medalist, who is training with Cast. Next month Ralph will showcase adaptive dogsledding as the lead dogsled team for the 2026 Klondike Dog Derby in Excelsior, Minnesota.

“[Our] project drew a lot of community interest, and we are seeing a fairly high demand for adaptive dog sledding,” said Heather Hicks, co-founder of Cast Outdoor Adventures Inc. “We received more inquiries than expected from individuals with disabilities, families and partner organizations, demonstrating a regional need for accessible winter recreation options. The grant from IRRR definitely helped enhance the quality of life and visitor experiences in Ely.”

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

Like many communities in northeastern Minnesota, Ironton has a rich mining history. Established in 1911 with the discovery of high-grade iron ore on the Cuyuna Iron Range, the small community was a promising boom town. Only two square miles, Ironton welcomed a variety of newly arrived European immigrants seeking work and a new home in America. The mining workers produced hundreds of thousands of tons of iron ore that were transported by rail to the rest of the nation for the growth of America.

Mining ceased there in the 1980s, and Ironton is now known for its close proximity to Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, which was formed from reclaimed mine lands. The recreation area has become a mountain bike and outdoor recreation hub with small businesses serving the new economy.

The Ironton community recently updated its comprehensive plan which will guide the city in future decisions concerning housing, transportation, economic development, infrastructure, public facilities, land use and natural resources. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $5,000 Development Partnership grant. Total project investment was $10,550. This assistance is part of IRRR’s commitment to advancing innovative economic growth within the Taconite Assistance Area.

“Our city is deeply appreciative of the IRRR grant,” Ironton Clerk/Treasurer Emma Pratt said. “The funding played a vital role in helping our community develop an essential tool that outlined our priorities. The plan will help us navigate the future, especially as it relates to strengthening our infrastructure, protecting our natural resources, encouraging private investment, supporting local businesses and improving the quality of life for our residents.”

Email Shawn Herhusky or call him at 218-735-3067 for Development Partnership grant information or if your community is interested in updating its comprehensive plan.

The University of Minnesota Extension’s Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (RSDP) is accepting ideas for community-led sustainability projects across northeastern Minnesota.

The partnership supports local efforts by connecting community ideas with University of Minnesota resources and project teams that may include students, faculty and staff.

Priorities for 2026 include strengthening the regional food system; addressing climate and other ecological impacts; expanding energy efficiency and renewable energy; and supporting community action that welcomes all residents while celebrating the region’s cultural traditions, natural assets and local economies.

“The best way to get started with any of the funding opportunities is to reach out. We’re excited to hear from you. We are here to talk about your idea and to help you with the application process,” said Northeast RSDP Executive Director David Abazs.

Applications are due Feb. 14.

View details and the application form.

Read examples of past projects.

Pictured above: Northwoods Food Project volunteers and partners prepare shared cooking equipment for community use at the Grand Marais Community Center. The food equipment library, with more than 25 pieces of processing gear such as harvest buckets and canners, was made possible through support from the University of Minnesota's Northeast RSDP.