The University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 30 to mark the installation and commissioning of a world-first Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Simulator research furnace at its Coleraine laboratory. The project aims to strengthen Minnesota’s role in supplying sustainable, high value iron products for the growing electric arc furnace (EAF) steel industry, which now produces 70% of the United States steel.

The experimentation with Minnesota and global iron ores can potentially pave the way for low-carbon emission steelmaking while ensuring Minnesota’s iron remains vital in a rapidly evolving iron and steel industry.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $600,000 Development Partnership grant to NRRI.

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina spoke at the event. Other speakers included Sen. Rob Farnsworth, Sen. Grant Hauschild, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham and officials from the United States Department of Energy and the National Laboratory of the Rockies.

Rukavina said, "This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring the Iron Range remains at the forefront of mining and steel innovation. By supporting world-class research and technology development at NRRI, we are strengthening our regional economy, supporting good-paying jobs and positioning Minnesota to lead the next generation of iron and steel manufacturing."

As DRI facilities and electric arc furnaces become a larger part of steel production in the U.S., alongside traditional blast furnace operations, research focused on Minnesota's iron ore is becoming increasingly important. The DRI simulator in Coleraine provides researchers with the ability to evaluate and optimize Minnesota iron ore using technologies that reflect current and emerging steelmaking processes.

In addition to steel production, the capabilities of the simulator may also support future research applications in non-ferrous mining and minerals processing.

“We're proud to invest in projects like these because they demonstrate that economic development isn’t just about today’s economy, it’s about supporting the research, technology and innovation that will drive tomorrow’s industries,” said Rukavina.

DRI Simulator funding partners include University of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Energy.

NRRI was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 and operates three research facilities across northern Minnesota focused on emerging technologies that support the state’s natural resources, environment and economy.

The new system has the capacity to be expanded to serve the four East Range communities of Aurora, Town of White, Biwabik and Hoyt Lakes, ensuring that infrastructure and opportunity are in place for residents of the East Range to have access to clean, reliable drinking water for generations to come.

Supporting community development and helping communities prepare for the future are among Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation's highest priorities. In support of those goals, the agency awarded the project $2 million in Public Works grants. The project also received funding from multiple sources, including $6.5 million in federal appropriations, $7.5 million through state bonding, nearly $10 million from the Minnesota Water Infrastructure Fund, as well as additional support through St. Louis County Community Development Block Grant funding. Aurora and the Town of White are financing the remaining project costs through a long-term loan from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority.

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

IRRR Director of Community Development Whitney Ridlon attended the ceremony, which also featured remarks by IRRR Advisory Board Member Rep. Roger Skraba.

IRRR launched its Housing grant program four years ago after hearing from local communities and businesses that the lack of housing was slowing economic growth. Investment in this new development will help meet housing needs in Two Harbors and along the North Shore.

Vision Inc. has developed housing in Hermantown, Grand Marais and Superior. The company owns 750 housing units and has helped build about 2,000 units. The Two Harbors project is expected to be completed in 2028.

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

The city of Biwabik installed 652 new municipal water meters at homes and businesses throughout the community. The project integrated an Advanced Metering Infrastructure system that transmits water usage data directly from customer meters to the utility in real time. The system provides more accurate and reliable water consumption data and improves billing accuracy, leak detection and water resource management.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $185,000 Public Works grant. Total project investment is estimated at $406,000.

“The new meters modernize the city's water infrastructure, helping reduce water waste and support long-term conservation,” said Michael Schultz, Biwabik city administrator. “They also give our staff better information to support day-to-day operations and enable staff to identify and respond more quickly to issues within the distribution system.”

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

The International Wolf Center in Ely renovated its 25-year-old Little Wolf Exhibit, a hands-on educational space for young visitors, especially those ages 3 to 10. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $25,700 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $76,300.

The interactive exhibit introduces children and families to wolves through features related to biology, wolf pack behavior, communication and habitat. There are sensory-rich elements, games and activities woven into the design, including "crawl-in dens," howl practice and a simulated Northwoods campsite for imagination play.

Peter Quinlan was the professional museum exhibit designer, and local children's book illustrator Consie Powell created the artwork. Bandmembers from regional Tribal Nations provided Ojibwemowin language expertise and cultural knowledge. The Tribal Nations included Red Lake Nation, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and White Earth Nation.

International Wolf Center Executive Director Grant Spickelmier said, “The partnerships made it clear the project was about more than just an exhibit. It was about building relationships and telling a story that goes beyond the facts, words or even the pictures. The renovated exhibit tells a story about a community of people and living things that matter."

The International Wolf Center is a major attraction in Ely that contributes to tourism revenue and community enrichment. The facility has 27,000 subscribers and draws tens of thousands of visitors annually.

Learn more about the International Wolf Center.

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

The North Central Minnesota Farm & Antique Association (NCMFAA) converted an underused building at The Blackberry Farm into a year-round event venue, expanding community gathering space while preserving local history. The Blackberry Farm is a 35-acre heritage site in Blackberry Township featuring vintage agricultural equipment, historic buildings and hands-on learning opportunities.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant and a $24,694 Business Energy Retrofit (BER) grant to the NCMFAA.

Previously, only half the building was finished and climate controlled, limiting indoor events to about 50 people. Upgrades to the heating, cooling, insulation, electrical system, lighting and acoustics increased year-round capacity to 180 people. The space now accommodates NCMFAA events, reunions, weddings, memorials and gatherings for local clubs and organizations. An existing commercial grade kitchen provides an added feature for groups.

The NCMFAA is a nonprofit with volunteer members who contribute about 9,000 service hours annually. Its mission is to preserve north central Minnesota’s agricultural and logging heritage. 

The Blackberry Farm is located seven miles east of Grand Rapids in Itasca County. The campus attracts about 10,000 visitors each year. The next event is the 42nd Annual Threshing & Antique Show on Aug. 8 and 9.

Learn more about the North Central Minnesota Farm & Antique Association and The Blackberry Farm.

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

The BER grant program is funded by IRRR and administered through a partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA). Learn more about BER grants.

Minnesota's outdoor recreation industry will gather for the 2026 Minnesota Outdoor Industry Summit on Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Hyland Hills Chalet in Bloomington.

Hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership, the summit will bring together businesses, government agencies and community leaders to discuss opportunities to strengthen and grow Minnesota's outdoor recreation economy.

The Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership is a collaboration among Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation.

Get full details and register.