Range Readiness: Preparing a region for growth

The Mesabi Iron Range, in northeast Minnesota, may soon see the biggest
economic boom it has experienced in decades.

Soaring prices on world markets for iron ore and other metals, like copper, have brought with them a number of significant mining projects at various stages of development.  Renewable energy projects also are part of the growth picture.  Projects include: environmental upgrades at Cohasset’s Clay Boswell power plant; the proposed Minnesota Steel mining to steel making project in Nashwauk; and the proposed nonferrous metals mining project, PolyMet, in Hoyt Lakes.  These, combined with several other proposed projects, carry a potential investment of $5 billion and a potential for 2,500 new permanent jobs, 3,500 construction jobs and thousands of spin off jobs.

It’s a great deal of investment that is likely to stress the region’s existing infrastructure.  The potential impact of the projects prompted Iron Range Resources Commissioner (IRR) Sandy Layman, Cohasset, 1988 BCLP alum, and other leaders in the area to think about how best to frame and mobilize stakeholders around the opportunities and challenges that will soon come.

In 2007, IRR partnered with a number of public and private stakeholders in the region ¬ the Blandin Foundation, Northland Foundation, Minnesota Power, Itasca Economic Development Corporation and the Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX) to launch the Range Readiness Initiative.

The partnership among the various agencies, government entities and business was formed said the commissioner, “because of a growing recognition that individual communities were fielding a lot of the same questions.”

To address those questions action teams were formed.  These teams are addressing: regional leadership, strategies for growth, the projects, workforce development, housing, community readiness and opportunities development.

The Range Readiness partners also want to make sure preparations don’t result in overkill ¬ for example with twice as many houses built as are actually needed. “Probably as much as being planned in our efforts, we want to make sure we’re not overbuilding,” said Sandy.

While those involved realize that there will be bumps along the road to economic growth, the leadership already demonstrated combined with the shared sense of meaning already established has those close to the project predicting continued participation.

“Economic development has really taken on a regional approach,” said former Itasca Economic Development Corporation President Peter McDermott, Grand Rapids, 2004 BCLP alum and member of the Range Readiness Strategy Team. “We’re focusing on the key drivers of economic development. It takes a coordinated effort to maximize opportunities.”