Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation recently distributed $850,000 in Culture & Tourism grants to 34 organizations working to enhance arts, culture, history, tourism and recreation throughout the Taconite Assistance Area.
The grants support a diverse range of projects, from trail maintenance equipment and community park improvements to museum exhibits and cultural programming. Recipients include cities, townships, nonprofits and recreational organizations across the region.
“These Culture & Tourism grants help communities across the Taconite Assistance Area highlight what makes them unique, from their history and arts to outdoor amenities, while also giving people more to see, do and experience in the region,” IRRR Commissioner Ida Rukavina said. “This investment strengthens quality of life for residents and supports the local organizations that make the Iron Range a vibrant place to live and explore.”
Among the funded projects, the Gunflint Trail Historical Society received $30,000 to develop an Anishinaabe exhibit at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. The Hibbing Historical Society was awarded $27,900 for the first phase of a local newspaper digitization and preservation project that will make historical publications accessible to the public.
Several snowmobile and ATV clubs received funding for trail maintenance equipment, including the Greenway Snowmobile Club, which was awarded $49,000 for a trail groomer, and the Babbitt ATV & Snowmobile Club, which received $39,572 for maintenance equipment.
Community park improvements were a common theme, with cities including Chisholm, Emily, Marble and Nashwauk receiving $30,000 each for park revitalization and playground upgrades. The International Wolf Center was awarded $25,700 to redesign its Little Wolf Exhibit, a hands-on educational space for youth.
Cultural programming also received support. Club Mesabi was granted $30,000 to launch a social media influencer campaign in partnership with Discover the Range, while the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon received $9,750 to develop a tourism campaign and produce cultural materials.
Cities, townships, nonprofits, Tribal governments and governmental entities located within the Taconite Assistance Area are eligible to apply for Culture & Tourism grants. Information about the program is available through IRRR’s website or by contacting Danae Beaudette at 218-735-3022.
Full list of awarded grants
- American Legion Post 248, Lozar-Mrace-Loushin (based in Ely): $24,497 to purchase a food trailer.
- Babbitt ATV & Snowmobile Club: $39,572 to purchase trail maintenance equipment.
- Balsam Township: $30,000 to support Phase 1 improvements to a community park.
- Breitung Township: $28,200 to make improvements to a bike trail, ballfield, disc golf course and sand volleyball court.
- City of Chisholm: $30,000 to complete Phase 1 of the Longyear Lake Park revitalization project.
- Club Mesabi: $30,000 to launch a social media influencer campaign in partnership with Discover the Range.
- City of Ely: $24,130 to purchase trail maintenance equipment.
- Ely Folk School: $30,000 to enhance the entry and access to the building.
- Embarrass Region Fair Association: $30,000 to remodel Embarrass Timber Hall.
- City of Emily: $30,000 to expand and enhance amenities in community parks.
- Finland Minnesota Historical Society: $4,000 to strip and repaint the interior of a historic schoolhouse.
- Grand Rapids Archers: $17,500 to replace the roof at Grand Rapids Archery Club.
- Greenway Joint Recreation Association: $9,000 to enhance the Greenway Recreation Facility entrance.
- Greenway Snowmobile Club: $49,000 to purchase a trail groomer.
- Gunflint Trail Historical Society: $30,000 to develop an Anishinaabe exhibit at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
- Hibbing Historical Society: $27,900 to complete Phase 1 of a local newspaper digitization and preservation project, making them accessible to the public.
- International Wolf Center: $25,700 to redesign Little Wolf Exhibit, a hands-on educational space for youth.
- John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon: $9,750 to develop and launch a tourism campaign and produce cultural and printed materials.
- Lawrence Township: $30,000 to update a playground.
- Lawron Trail Riders Snowmobile Club (central Itasca County): $37,000 to purchase trail maintenance equipment.
- Light After Loss MN: $14,000 to develop the new Hope Remembrance Park in Hibbing.
- City of Marble: $30,000 to support Phase 2 improvements to a community park and sports complex.
- Minnesota Children’s Press: $22,500 to expand the letter-writing youth programs at Cook County History Museum.
- City of Nashwauk: $30,000 to upgrade a community playground.
- North Central Minnesota Farm & Antique Association: $30,000 to build out the interior of its community hall in Blackberry Township.
- North Star Foundation of the Mesaba Inc.: $30,000 to replace the bathroom and shower building at Mesaba Cooperative Park.
- Northern Lakes Arts Association: $15,000 to launch an advertising campaign and purchase sound and stage equipment to present Broadway in the Boundary Waters.
- City of Orr: $27,700 to purchase wooden piles for Phase 1 construction of the City Park Fishing Pier.
- Slovenian Union of America Branch 23: $7,500 to launch an advertising campaign and produce cultural and printed materials for Zarja Day at Minnesota Discovery Center.
- Tower Soudan Historical Society: $30,000 to make improvements at the Historic Tower Fire Hall and the Tower Train Depot Museum.
- Township of White: $14,965 to add amenities at Loon Lake Community Center.
- Wabana Township: $30,000 to support Phase 2 improvements to a community playground.
- City of Warba: $13,800 to make Phase 1 electrical improvements to Feeley Park.
- Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center: $18,286 to launch a marketing campaign and enhance the center’s campus.
