Farnsworth supports $1.2 million of IRRRB funding into district

ST. PAUL – This week the IRRRB and Senator Rob Farnsworth (R-Hibbing) voted to make significant investments into the Iron Range.

“I’m very grateful the IRRRB members and I voted for these investments in our communities today,” Farnsworth said. “Funding our roads, sewers, and trails keeps our residents safe, promotes the use of our great outdoors, and attracts tourists as we show off our region. The Range is a great place to live, work, and play, and I’ll work hard to ensure our way of life can continue for many more generations.” 

Senate District 7 will receive nearly $1.2 million for highway infrastructure, sewer and water utilities, and recreational trails. Projects impacting the Senate District 7 area include:

  • City of Gilbert: $200,000 to construct infrastructure, site work and roadways for a new 3,600-square-foot plumbing and heating service center. By extending sewer and water utilities and constructing a highway access point, the city has the potential for additional commercial development on 30 acres of city owned land.
  • City of Hibbing: $149,000 to install new lining in residential sewer lines between Highway 169 and 37th Street which will extend the life of the infrastructure that is currently failing. The sewer lines were constructed between 1948 and 1953 using clay tile pipe which has become very brittle over time. 
  • City of Biwabik: $28,500 to construct a paved trail connecting a park pavilion to a gazebo located within the Biwabik Park in the center of town.
  • City of Chisholm: $500,000 to create a master plan for the future expansion of Redhead Mountain Bike (MTB) Park and establish Chisholm connectivity; build out and construct Chisholm bike lanes and other in-town amenities such as a pump track and bike racks; upgrade Redhead MTB Park; and, establish Chisholm as a destination “biketown.”
  • Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club: $31,150 to purchase two snowmobiles, one ATV and a trailer to help groom and maintain various ski trails in Itasca County.
  • City of Virginia: $250,000 to re-route a floating trail on the southeast side of Silver Lake and near the Public Utilities Building. The project is the final piece to complete Silver Lake Trail as a contiguous trail around the lake.

You can watch the IRRRB meeting here.