Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation

Today marked a significant milestone as Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Giants Ridge Pool & Sauna Haus at Giants Ridge in Biwabik. The event featured remarks from IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Biwabik City Administrator Jeff Jacobsen, Giants Ridge General Manager - Guest Services Fred Seymour, IRRR Board Member and State Rep. Roger Skraba and Aurora Mayor Doug Gregor. The groundbreaking drew around 40 attendees, including local leaders, IRRR Board members, contractors and community residents. Spanning 9,700 square feet, the new facility will boast an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub/spa, two outdoor saunas, a spacious great room/lobby, as well as locker and mechanical rooms. With an investment of approximately $11.1 million, IRRR aims to bring this project to fruition, with plans for the facility to welcome visitors in the summer of 2025. Giants Ridge is a major economic development driver in northeastern Minnesota with an annual economic impact of more than $55 million. This premier recreational destination draws in tens of thousands of visitors each year from Minnesota, across the United States and Canada, while also enriching the quality of life for those living in the surrounding areas.

Read The Ranger: * September is Workforce Development Month * Iron Range tradition, Sammy’s Pizza expands and renovates its downtown Hibbing location * Groundbreaking event celebrates new manufacturing facility in Hibbing * East Range joint water project moves forward * North Star Elementary hosts grand opening celebration * Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa renovates community playground * RAMS facilitates lunch and learn session in Mountain Iron * Coleraine refurbishes community playground * RSVP for the State of the Range event https://bit.ly/3XebwKJ

The Ranger: Itasca area adds northern Minnesota’s largest drive-through light display Lights in the Pines, northern Minnesota’s largest drive-through light display, was added as a seasonal attraction to the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids. IRRR supported the project with a $8,903 Culture & Tourism grant. Total project investment was $231,000. The commercial light display made its debut last year and will re-open this holiday season, Nov. 22 through Dec. 23. It is located in the newly developed RV park within the fairgrounds and allows vehicles to drive through and view the various designs that are professionally designed and constructed and sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Guests may then visit Santaland to have professional photos taken with Santa Claus and The Grinch. Hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and Lights in the Pines merchandise are available for sale. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3WFRwAj

Great things are happening in Hibbing! The Hibbing Economic Development Authority (HEDA) hosted a groundbreaking event yesterday for its new 35,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions (AMGS) will lease the facility for its operations. IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina spoke at the event. The agency supported the project with a $4.5 million loan to HEDA and also supported AMGS with previous loans for their growth. Congratulations to HEDA, AMGS and all of the project partners!

The Ranger: Hoyt Lakes develops new shelter amenity in community park The city of Hoyt Lakes constructed a new covered shelter in their Midway Recreation Area, the city’s most popular park which is located adjacent to the main downtown thoroughfare. The new structure is a community gathering space that is used by local residents and visitors to the region. IRRR supported the project with a $50,000 Downtown Streetscapes grant. Total project investment was $397,401. Midway Recreation Area is approximately 14 acres and home base for Hoyt Lakes' annual Water Carnival which attracts about 5,000 people. Hoyt Lakes is also the host city for Bicycling Around Minnesota (BAM)’s annual four-day ride each summer. The event draws over 300 bicyclists who have the option to camp in the park during their stay. The city added picnic tables at the new shelter and improved the park’s tennis courts, pickleball court and skate park and added a disc golf course and basketball court. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3WFRwAj

Please join Commissioner Ida Rukavina for the inaugural State of the Range address on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Giants Ridge Event Center. The evening will feature special guest speakers who will share valuable regional updates, refreshments and a cash bar, while celebrating the agency's achievements from the past year and exploring our future opportunities. This event is open to the public, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. RSVP by Sept. 6 to [email protected].

IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in the groundbreaking event for the East Range joint water project yesterday. The agency supported the project with $1.5 million in grant funding. IRRR is committed to supporting projects that future-proof our region, ensuring residents have access to clean, reliable drinking water for generations to come. The East Range Water Board, the communities of Aurora, Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes and the Town of White, as well as numerous organizations and individuals, have worked for more than a decade on this effort. Bringing a project of this magnitude to fruition is a true testament to their foresight, persistence and leadership. Congratulations!

NEWS RELEASE: Regional economic development tour highlights business successes and opportunities on the Iron Range Ahead of Workforce Development Month in September, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina hosted Commissioner Matt Varilek of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and President/CEO Tony Sertich of the Northland Foundation for a regional economic development tour on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The tour included stops in Ely, Mountain Iron and Virginia. “It was a pleasure to host Commissioner Varilek and President/CEO Sertich for this impactful day,” said Commissioner Rukavina. “We look forward to continued collaborations with DEED and the Northland Foundation as we work to create a stronger, more resilient Minnesota.” Read the full news release: https://bit.ly/46SAELw

The Ranger: Arrow Auto Glass & Door has new owners with plans to expand in commercial sector Arrow Auto Glass & Door owners, brothers Jerry and Jeff Stimac, utilized a Loan Guaranty from IRRR for a line of credit for working capital. For over 75 years, Arrow Auto Supply Co. Inc. in Virginia has provided automotive paint, tools and supplies; residential and commercial glass; and, steel and aluminum door sales and services. Jerry and Jeff began the process of purchasing the business in 2021. They completed the majority purchase in 2024 with the goal to expand the company’s current position in the commercial windows and door sector. Area residents rely on Arrow Auto for windshield repair and replacement services, vehicle camera calibration, and automotive paint, tools and supplies. The company supplies residential glass shower doors and glass shower enclosures, along with residential window glass replacement and mirror installation. For their commercial customers, Arrow Auto deals with heavy duty construction equipment glass and storefront doors and windows. They are the only place on the Iron Range to offer ballistic doors and windows, and they are the official Platinum PPG Automotive Paint dealer of northern Minnesota. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3WFRwAj

The Ranger: Rukavina participates in women's leadership panel at FinnFest USA IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina participated in FinnFest USA on Friday, July 26 in Duluth. The festival celebrated Finnish and Finnish American culture and heritage. She was a guest on the Women in Leadership panel, which focused on how women who become societal and governmental leaders face challenges when they aspire to high-level positions. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3WFRwAj