The Iron Range has a long history of collaboration around brownfield redevelopment, dating back to the late 1990s with the formation of the Brownfields Task Force. These early efforts secured federal funding to identify sites and laid the foundation for continued regional coordination through the Central Iron Range Initiative (CIRI) and later, the Iron Range Brownfields Coalition. Over time, momentum fluctuated, but recent years have seen renewed energy and alignment.
In 2024, the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) and the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation joined forces with the Coalition to re-ignite efforts. Recognizing a need to re-engage stakeholders and spark new projects, the group hosted a regional brownfields conference-drawing over 100 participants from across industries and communities. The event successfully raised awareness, built connections, and confirmed the appetite for redevelopment in our region.
Building on this momentum, the Coalition is expanding its outreach and solidifying a lasting home for brownfield work. Upcoming “lunch and learn” sessions will spotlight local brownfield success stories, featuring developers, city leaders, and technical experts. These events are designed to inspire, inform, and further catalyze investment in site redevelopment across the Iron Range. The Iron Range is demonstrating strong coordination, renewed momentum, and a clear commitment to advancing brownfield redevelopment.
August 13th, 2025: Lunch and Learn in Virginia, MN — Presentation Slides — August 13 2025_CoVirginia NTS PDF
September 30th, 2025: Lunch and Learn in Eveleth, MN — Register here
October 29th, 2025: Lunch and Learn in Hibbing, MN — Register here
MPCA “What’s in My Neighborhood”
Northland Connection Property Search
St. Louis County GIS “BETA” Land Inventory (link to “Beta – Economic Development Inventory in upper right corner drop-down)