IRRRB approves annual budget

ST. PAUL - The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board on Tuesday approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including funding for several public works projects in the region and expansion of the board-owned Giants Ridge resort.

The total budget for fiscal year 2016 runs more than $33 million, and covers operational costs of the board, along with funding development projects and grants.

The big-ticket item in the budget is continued support and expansion of Giants Ridge near Biwabik. The board had previously approved $6.1 million towards construction costs for a new event center at the resort, and had to add an additional $1.6 million in February because of increased construction costs. About $1.2 million of the IRRRB's $9.5 million allocation to Giants Ridge in FY 2016 will go toward construction to support the new event center, including parking, outdoor lighting and landscaping; the rest will go toward operational expenses. The forecast revenue from Giants Ridge in the coming fiscal year is about $3.93 million.

The board also approved nine public works grants for the fiscal year totaling more than $1.6 million, which in turn will help leverage an additional $39 million total for those projects.

Approved grants include:

• $300,000 to the city of Virginia for Phase II of the Joy Global expansion project.

• $300,000 to the city of Hibbing for infrastructure and site work for a new, 32-unit housing development.

• $250,000 to the city of Virginia for infrastructure and site work for a new development on Ninth Street North; a new auto dealership will be constructed on the former site of the East Range Clinic.

• $200,000 to the city of Ely for infrastructure and site work for an expansion of the Ely Business Park.

• $200,000 to the city of Cook for infrastructure and site work for a new emergency services facility for the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade.

• $150,000 to Nashwauk Township for construction of a new town hall.

• $100,000 to the city of Grand Marais for infrastructure and site work for renovation and expansion of the Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center.

• $75,000 to the city of Mountain Iron for sewer work and a new lift station.

• $50,000 to the city of Cook for a infrastructure and site work for a new community center.