With the prospect of several new large scale projects either underway or on the horizon and the likelihood of massive new hires resulting from baby boomer retirements, northeastern Minnesota is on the verge of a potential boom, the likes of which has not been seen in decades. However, while the looming opportunities are very good news, they are not without their challenges. Issues involving workforce, housing, infrastructure and the environment need to be dealt with in a rational and responsible manner in order to bring the area’s full potential to fruition. It is to this end that the Range Readiness Initiative was conceived, funded and organized by an ad hoc forum of the region’s economic development organizations partnering with industry, educational institutions, business organizations and governmental entities. As the name of the Initiative implies, our mission is to ready the region for economic expansion. The Range Readiness Initiative is charged with identifying potential challenges, issues and opportunities, developing shared strategies and solutions, and focusing the appropriate technical and financial resources in an efficient and effective response. The Range Readiness Initiative is organized into the following working teams: projects, workforce, housing, community readiness and opportunities development. A leadership team serves as a steering committee for the overall Initiative and a strategy team provides direction and oversight to the various working teams. Click here for more information on the Range Readiness Initiative.
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What is Range Readiness? |
News Update |
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Duluth Metals Acquires Additional Strategic Lands In The Duluth ComplexDuluth Metals Limited is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of 5,142 acres of prospective mineral leases within the Duluth Complex; 2,528 acres were acquired from State of Minnesota and the remaining 2,614 acres are leased private mineral rights. PolyMet Project UpdatePolymet Corporation reported that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ("MDNR") continues to progress toward publication of the draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS"), which is expected to be ready for public review in the second quarter of 2009. Vote on land sale to Essar delayed - againPerhaps the biggest news from the Itasca County Board meeting held Tuesday was that no action was taken on a highly anticipated item, nor was it on the agenda. Effort made to pull back reins on land sale to EssarGRAND RAPIDS — Itasca County Commissioner Karen Burthwick wants to tighten the reins on the sale of nearly 4,000 acres of county tax-forfeited land to Essar Steel Minnesota. City, township to work collectively on water, sewer upgradesNASHWAUK — The city council here has signed off on an agreement with Nashwauk Township that is aimed at securing federal money to help pay for water and sewer upgrades serving Essar Steel’s planned $1.6 billion mining and manufacturing complex near here. |
Current Major Projects |
Click on project to view more information, or click on interactive map for a snapshot of the project. Major Projects
Proposed Projects
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