SAINT PAUL – Last week, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) approved funding for an estimated $1.3 million in loans, $750,000 in site ready grants, $3.7 million in infrastructure grants, $157,000 in trails grants and $3.6 million in housing grants for a variety of projects across the Northland including many in House District 3A
Board member and State Representative Roger Skraba, R-Ely, voted in favor of the funding and said he was pleased that many local projects will now be able to move forward and bring additional jobs, infrastructure, and more to the region.
“Last week's vote was another important step to bring more economic opportunities, affordable housing, and recreational opportunities to the region,” said Skraba. “I was proud to support these critical projects as we support our communities and help the entire Northland thrive and grow.”
Local funding in House District 3A included:
- Cook County/Grand Marias Joint EDA: $400,000 to construct infrastructure and site work for the development of a 10,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial space in Grand Marais that will replace three businesses lost to a fire in 2020. The “Mayhew Commercial Project” will feature an event center, lodging units, a restaurant, retail spaces, lounge and rooftop open space.
- Cook County/Grand Marias Joint EDA: $400,000 to construct infrastructure and site work for the development of a 9,300-square-foot mixed-use commercial space that will replace Papa Charlie’s restaurant and event venue at Lutsen Mountains which was lost to a fire last year. The new building will include a restaurant, event center, bar/lounge and four lodging units for resort guests.
- City of Tower: $370,345 to support new water and sewer utilities, storm water, road reconstruction and airport technology upgrades to public locations and sites throughout the community including roadways, the historic Tower Depot and Train Museum campus, Lakeview Cemetery and Tower Municipal Airport.
- Northeast Regional ATV Trail Joint Powers Board City of Hoyt Lakes: $25,000 to conduct master planning, route planning, environmental permitting, right-of-way acquisition and construction cost analysis for future construction to connect the city of Two Harbors to existing ATV and snowmobile trails.
- City of Ely: $850,000 to support the infrastructure and construction related to a new three-story, 37-unit market rate workforce apartment building.
- Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority – Bjorkberg: $225,000 to construct infrastructure for a new housing development of 20 two-story workforce town homes in Grand Marais.
- Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority – Temperance Trails: $100,000 to construct infrastructure for a new housing development of up to 22 homes in Tofte. Ten are proposed to be single family homes, and 12 will be side-by-side town homes.
- Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority – The Heights: $630,000 to construct a new three-story, 36-unit workforce apartment building.
As a reminder, the IRRRB is funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.
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