Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation

09/04/2026

New grant opportunity: The Minnesota Humanities Center is accepting applications for nearly $4.9 million in Cultural Heritage grants supporting projects that create, celebrate and teach the art, culture and heritage of Minnesota’s diverse cultural communities.
Individuals and organizations are eligible to apply. Virtual informational sessions and application reviews are also available.

Link to learn more in the comments.

09/04/2026

Nonprofit leaders in northeastern Minnesota: Don’t miss this free leadership development opportunity from the Northland Foundation. Applications are due Sept. 11!

⏰ Only days left to apply!

Cohort 2 of a free, 10-month virtual leadership coaching program for nonprofit leaders in northeastern Minnesota is filling up — and applications close Friday, September 11.

Sponsored by the Northland Foundation + led by .works, this growth opportunity connects a small group of mid-level nonprofit staff for monthly, facilitated, VIRTUAL meetings to:
✅ Build leadership confidence
✅ Strengthen communication skills
✅ Reduce isolation
✅ Grow a trusted peer network

📅 2nd Tuesday of each month, 9–11 AM (virtual!) | Oct 2026 – July 2027
👉 Apply now: bricocollective.org/change-cohort

Know someone perfect for this? Tag them or share!

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

CAREER OPPORTUNITY: We’re hiring a Grants Specialist Senior!

This position plays an important role in administering Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation grant programs and economic development funding that support communities and businesses across northeastern Minnesota. The role works closely with grant recipients and agency staff, providing guidance, technical assistance and training while helping ensure grant activities meet program requirements.

For more information about the position and how to apply, visit our website. Link in comments.

09/02/2026

Check out today’s edition of The Ranger!

Learn how Chisholm Public Schools is beginning a new chapter with a unified pre-K-12 campus. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with $8 million in Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds.

Plus: the new Northland Learning Center, hands-on construction experience for Rock Ridge students, Residential Redevelopment in St. Louis County and more from across the Iron Range.

🔗 Link in the comments.

Chisholm Bluestreaks

09/01/2026

A new entrance is improving accessibility and energy efficiency at the Hodgins-Berardo Arena in Coleraine.

Greenway Joint Recreation Association upgraded the entrance, making it ADA-accessible and better insulated to help reduce heating and maintenance costs. The historic arena hosts youth sports and community activities throughout the year.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported the project with a $9,000 Culture & Tourism grant.

🔗 Link in the comments.

Greenway Rec

08/31/2026

Save the date! The DAWN Business Resource Summit & Pitch Competition is Sept. 24 in northeastern Minnesota.

The event will feature funding panels, connections with business experts and a live pitch competition showcasing up to 10 local entrepreneurs.

Interested in attending or applying to pitch? Links are in the comments.

08/28/2026

Chisholm Public Schools celebrated a major milestone yesterday with the grand opening of its unified PreK-12 campus.

The project brings students from all grades together on one campus with a new PreK-6 addition to Chisholm High School and improvements to the existing high school. The campus also features modern learning spaces, expanded green space, additional parking, a dedicated bus loop and an indoor sports facility.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina and IRRR Board Chair Sen. Rob Farnsworth spoke at the celebration, highlighting the collaboration and investment that helped make the new campus possible.

IRRR supported the school project with $8 million in Education Facilities Revenue Bonds. An additional $3.65 million from the Iron Range Schools and Community Development Account is being invested in a shared public works facility and bus garage that will serve both the city and school district.

Congratulations to Chisholm Public Schools, its students, staff and community on this exciting new chapter!

Chisholm Bluestreaks

08/27/2026

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) leaders recently spent the day touring communities and project sites in eastern Itasca County. The tour highlighted projects IRRR has supported as well as potential opportunities for future investment.

Commissioner Ida Rukavina was joined by IRRR Director of Community Development Whitney Ridlon, Executive Director of Business Development Ryan Malich and Director of Workforce Development and Legislative Liaison Kyle Lamppa, along with Itasca County Commissioner Casey Venema and local leaders.

The tour included stops in Keewatin, Marble, Taconite, Calumet, Bovey and Lawrence Township and highlighted a range of community development efforts, including plans to redevelop the former Keewatin Elementary School site for future housing, existing and proposed housing in Marble, potential reuse of space at the former Taconite school, park improvements in Bovey and community center improvements in Lawrence Township.

In Calumet, the group also visited a former bank building that has been redeveloped to house The Hematite coffee shop, Calumet Reclamation Co. offices and future meeting space.

The day provided an opportunity to see projects firsthand, connect with local leaders and discuss how IRRR can continue to support communities in eastern Itasca County.

08/27/2026

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) joined regional partners yesterday to celebrate the opening of the new Northland Learning Center in Mountain Iron.

The approximately 32,000-square-foot facility features seven elementary classrooms, five high school classrooms and four Alternative Learning Center classrooms. It will serve students from eight member school districts across northeastern Minnesota, providing a modern learning environment for students receiving special education and other services.

IRRR Director of Community Development Whitney Ridlon provided remarks highlighting the agency’s support for the project. IRRR Board Chair Sen. Robert Farnsworth, Sen. Grant Hauschild and Rep. Cal Warwas also spoke at the event.

IRRR supported the approximately $17 million project with $10.6 million in educational facilities revenue bonds and an additional $2.08 million in legislative revenue bond proceeds, for a total investment of $12.68 million.

Congratulations to the Northland Learning Center and the many partners who helped bring this important regional project to completion.