Speakers at the Sept. 15 celebration included Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina, St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald, Sen. Grant Hauschild, Rep. Roger Skraba and former Mesabi Trail Citizens’ Advisory Board Chair Bob Whalen. Rachel Loeffler-Kemp also spoke on behalf of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. 

During her remarks, Rukavina highlighted the partnerships and persistence behind the trail and its role in northeastern Minnesota’s outdoor recreation economy.

“Thirty years ago, local people had a vision to connect our communities and strengthen our region,” Rukavina said. “Today, 165 completed miles of the Mesabi Trail stand as proof of what can happen when people work together and refuse to give up on a shared goal.”
She also recognized the late Sen. David Tomassoni and her father, the late Rep. Tom Rukavina, among the elected officials who championed the project over the years.

The event also highlighted the people whose leadership and commitment helped turn the idea of the Mesabi Trail into a regional asset. 

Former St. Louis County Commissioner Liz Prebich was a driving force behind the project in its early years, helping advance the vision of a regional trail connecting Iron Range communities. Prebich served as chair of the St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority and was closely involved in early trail planning and development. She died in 2001, before she could see that vision fully realized. Her husband, Tom Butorac, attended the celebration and spoke about her early work and commitment to the trail.

The celebration also recognized Bob Manzoline, recently retired executive director of the St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority, who has been involved with the Mesabi Trail since its earliest years. Over three decades, Manzoline helped guide the trail’s planning, funding and development as it grew from an ambitious regional vision into the completed trail celebrated today.

The trail has also become an economic asset for the region, drawing visitors into communities along its route and supporting local businesses and amenities. Bicyclists make up most trail users, but the trail is also used by walkers, runners, wheelchair users and snowshoers.

Over the past six years, IRRR has invested more than $1.7 million in the Mesabi Trail. That funding has supported construction of the McKinley-to-Biwabik and West Two River-to-Tower segments, along with other trail construction, mapping and wayfinding. The agency has also made investments over the years in connector trails and communities along the route.

Those investments reflect the connection between outdoor recreation and economic development. As Rukavina noted in her remarks, trails and other recreational amenities attract visitors, support local businesses and help make northeastern Minnesota a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Approximately 40 professionals attended the inaugural Timber Transformations networking event on Sept. 22 at The Market at Malcolm Yards in Minneapolis. The event brought together engineers, architects, government representatives, developers and timber industry representatives from the Great Lakes region to strengthen connections and discuss opportunities surrounding mass timber construction in Minnesota.

Timber Transformations is designed to connect owners, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, policymakers and advocates who are helping shape the future of mass timber.

Greg Kingsley, principal at KL&A Engineers & Builders and a nationally recognized mass timber leader, led a discussion on 2027 building code changes and the opportunities they present for expanding mass timber construction in Minnesota. His presentation focused on how the industry can build on the momentum of the changes through education and efforts to advance mass timber adoption.

The Market at Malcolm Yards, a historic brick and timber building, provided a fitting setting for the discussion and networking.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) was one of the event sponsors. Commissioner Ida Rukavina spoke at the event and highlighted IRRR's role in supporting economic development in northeastern Minnesota. IRRR staff members Stefanie Dickinson, Janelle Greschner and KeKe Stephenson also attended, connecting with industry representatives and other partners.

The September event kicked off a quarterly Timber Transformations series. The next event is scheduled for Nov. 4 in downtown Minneapolis and will feature a walking tour of T3, the first tall mass timber building in the United States. Participants will learn about the building's design and construction and continue conversations about the future of timber construction.

PHOTOS: Top: IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina speaks at the inaugural Timber Transformations event in Minneapolis. Middle: Greg Kingsley, principal at KL&A Engineers & Builders, discusses 2027 building code changes and opportunities to advance mass timber adoption. Bottom: From left, IRRR staff members Stefanie Dickinson, Commissioner Ida Rukavina, KeKe Stephenson and Janelle Greschner attend the Timber Transformations event.

IRRR Community Development Representative Kevin Steele spoke at the event, which also featured remarks from IRRR Advisory Board Chair, Sen. Rob Farnsworth.

IRRR launched its Housing grant program in 2024 to help meet demand for diverse housing options throughout the Taconite Assistance Area, supporting long-term economic growth and quality of life.

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity serves individuals and families who qualify for a mortgage and meet income limits based on the area’s median income. Homeowner selection is based on demonstrated need for housing, ability to repay an affordable mortgage and a willingness to partner in the construction of their home.

Since 1995, the nonprofit has partnered with 130 families in 15 Iron Range communities. For more information about applying for homeownership, visit www.nslchfh.org.

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

Kristin Lukes with DEED’s Office of Brownfields and Redevelopment provided an overview of state grant and loan programs, including funding for contamination cleanup and investigation, redevelopment and demolition. She also discussed project readiness and the importance of collaboration among developers, local governments and project partners.

Todd Mell with Kraus-Anderson provided an overview of the company’s services and discussed the role of due diligence in redevelopment projects. Kraus-Anderson provides services ranging from pre-project planning and advisory services to construction and post-construction services.

Paul Peltier with RAMS highlighted regional opportunities for collaboration. IRRR staff contributed local knowledge and discussed how the agency can support redevelopment projects in northeastern Minnesota.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) recently awarded an $8,460 Residential Redevelopment grant to the city of Deerwood to demolish a mobile home and garage. Both structures were uninhabitable and structurally unsound, and their condition posed a public health hazard.

City officials stated that the grant helped eliminate community blight, mitigate safety risks for neighboring properties and prepare the parcel for future redevelopment. The parcel is large enough to be split, with an existing home and garage on one portion and space for a new home on the other.

IRRR Residential Redevelopment grants assist with demolition of residential structures or full deconstruction of homes for reuse of materials. Eligible applicants include cities, townships, counties, Tribal governments and nonprofits. Homeowners interested in applying should contact their municipality.

Learn more about Residential Redevelopment grants.

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

Lawrence Township replaced aging playground equipment at its community park with safer, more accessible structures designed for children of different ages and abilities. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) supported the project with a $30,000 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $83,391.

Much of the existing equipment was installed decades ago, and several pieces had been removed because of safety concerns. Improvements included the addition of inclusive play features for children with mobility challenges and other needs, along with updated safety surfacing.

The renovated playground provides a safe, welcoming place for children and families to play, gather and connect while improving recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

Lawrence Township Supervisor Christine Plackner said, “Community investments like this contribute to a higher overall quality of life, which plays an important role in economic development. A safe, family-friendly environment with modern amenities makes Lawrence a more appealing place to live, work and raise a family.”

Lawrence Township is located in Itasca County, approximately 15 minutes from Bovey and 25 minutes from Grand Rapids.

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