President Heiman welcomed those in person and on Zoom for a Hybrid regular meeting.
He thanked the members who decorated the Holiday decoration for the Festival of Trees, reminded us there will be no meeting next week, but a regular one on December 1st and a Board meeting on December 6th. I you have ideas for membership discounts or for a 2022 fundraiser please get them to him. And the Interact Club is looking for members (and it would be nice to have a female) speak to their club about Rotary - please contact him or Mike Musich.
Thanks to Terri for the materials, Pat for the great container for the decorations, and to those who gave their skills to put this together.
Presenter for today - Mark Phillips, Commissioner of the Department of Iron Resources and Rehabilitation - often still referred to as IRRRB or IRRR.
The Commissioner joined us live at the Grand Ely Lodge and showed a presentation on the history, goals, and accomplishments of this cabinet level agency created in 1941 by Governor Stassen.
The mining companies do not pay property taxes, but instead a Production Tax that will vary year-to-year based upon the economic viability of the steel industry. These taxes have varied from a low of $94 million to $115 million, with a distribution to mining reinvestment, pass through to townships, counties, and school districts in this diverse district that includes most of the Arrowhead, plus the Cayuna range. They also have their own programs and grants provided by the agency.
The Board is comprised on elected legislators who serve an advisory role, but also have budget approval authority.
Their goals are: #1 - business that invest in NE Minnesota; #2 - Communities investing in foundational and social assets; and #3 - Worker education and training. To those goals they provided assistance to infrastructure for towns and cities, funds for various job programs like the Vet Tech program at VCC, and provided a $7 million grant to remodel the local school. In addition they continue to support Giants Ridge with their winter and summer programs including the golf courses, mountain biking, both kinds of skiing, and providing a $55 million economic benefit to the area.
For more information go to mn.gov/irrrb to find more on the Agency. Thanks to Commissioner Phillips for an informative presentation.
