Message From Director

September was a month full of activities with kids returning to school, Senate and House bonding tours and RAMS back to work with a board meeting in Hibbing.

Prior to the meeting, members of the Board of Directors took a tour of the Windows to the World new mine view overlooking the Hull Rust mine pit. This is an amazing site that all Rangers have to put on a “to do” list when visitors come to town.

At the board meeting Representative Julie Sandstede, District 6A gave a report that included highlights from the 2019 session and included insights into the 2020 bonding session. So far $5.3 BILLION dollars in projects have been requested!

Rep Sandstede’s report was appreciated by the board and was comprehensive and informative. Thanks Julie for all you do for the Range.

In other board business, the annual audit report was reviewed and approved with no financial concern noted by our auditor. A new conflict of interest policy and code of conduct policy were recommended and the board will adopt at the next meeting. The board also heard updates on PolyMet, Twin Metals, HibTac and Mesabi Metallics…good news is hard to find but we continue to support projects that meet all permitting requirements and will provide great economic boosts to our region.

The board also agreed to hold the RAMS annual meeting on December 19th, 2019. This is earlier than in the past so much work must be done in the next two months to prepare.

RAMS hosted a Range Mayors meeting in September and the mayors heard a presentation from Dean DeBeltz from Twin Metals.

Twin Metals signed a PLA (project labor agreement) with the MN Trades and Labor Council and is close to submitting a mine plan of operation to the US Forest Service. The mayors were thankful for the presentation and many good questions were answered by Dean.

October started with a bang as RAMS hosted a meeting with 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber. The meeting included RAMS board members and Iron Range Mayors from over a dozen communities.

Congressman Stauber continues to fight for the “Range way of life” in DC and was proud to testify in a committee about how we mine safely, efficiently and without environmental catastrophes. The Congressman is part of the “Problem Solver Caucus” that is made up by 48 bi-partisan representatives and was instrumental in developing a solution to end the government shutdown. Thanks so much for your time and efforts on behalf of the 8th District, Congressman Stauber.

Don’t forget to check out the latest on the RAMS website(s)
www. ramsmn.org ; and now our new site on broadband:
https://broadband.ramsmn.org/