REGIONAL- Ely, Cook, Orr, and Breitung Township were among the area winners in the latest round of infrastructure funding approved by the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation’s board last week. The newly-reconstituted board handed out over $4 million in economic development funding to regional governments and businesses.
A $2.1 million project to replace a water main and upgrade sanitary sewers along Hwy. 169 in Ely from 21st Avenue to the International Wolf Center received a $400,000 grant from the IRRR. The water main loop is necessary to provide the required capacity for customer use and fire protection. The existing waterline is currently off due to deterioration and an unrepairable leak under a highway culvert. Businesses and expansions that will benefit from the project include Spirit of the Wilderness Canoe Outfitters and an expanded bunkhouse for guest and employee housing, Hammer Heart Brewery, a new business relocating from Lino Lakes to Ely, Trembath Machine and Welding, Voyageur North Outfitters’ rental cabin development, Zup’s Food Market entrance access improvements and additional parking, and potential future housing development. The project is projected to create eight permanent jobs and 13 construction jobs.
Cook received $20,000 to help construct infrastructure for power service upgrades and taxi-lane expansion for new hangar development at the Cook Municipal Airport. The funds will provide for lighting for the new taxi-way and power for 11 new hangars that are planned to be built with private funds. All 11 spaces are already reserved for development.
A project in Orr to rehabilitate a lift station to improve service to residents and replace a force main to reduce inflow and infiltration issues to the wastewater treatment plant received $50,000 The project will replace the pumps and convert the dry well to a wet well.
Breitung Township will receive $40,000 for the engineering, construction and environmental expenses to reconstruct and improve the 1.4-mile paved McKinley Park Trail located between Soudan Underground State Park and McKinley Park Campground on Lake Vermilion.
The November elections ensured new faces on the board, comprised of eight Iron Range state senators and representatives, and only three members are carry-overs from last year – District 7A Rep. Spencer Igo, who was elected as chair, District 6 Sen. Justin Eichorn, who was elected as vice chair, and District 7B Rep. Dave Lislegard. New members include District 3 Sen. Grant Hauschild and District 3A Rep. Roger Skraba.
Approximately $1.5 million in loans, $2.4 million in infrastructure grants, and $191,000 in trails grants were approved at the March 29 meeting, with a total investment of approximately $39.2 million. The projects are expected to increase the regional tax base, impact new and existing jobs, create construction jobs, provide essential services, and expand outdoor recreation.

IRRR is funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s taconite industry.