The ERJPB began in 1984 as a collaboration between communities to foster community and economic development across their boundaries.
Aurora, Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes, and the Town of White have made a considerable effort to invest time, effort, and financial commitment toward joint services, facilities, and programs the past three years and several initiatives are in progress. A major focus of the ERJPB over the years has been to engage in all feasible forms of collaboration and partnership with local, regional, state and federal communities and agencies involved with economic and community development. Its actions are guided by three-year plans created by the board and staff.
Vision: The region to live, work, and play.
Mission: To improve the lives of our residents by fostering collaboration among East Range communities.
Core Values:
We are…
Collaborative. We build bridges across the four East Range communities and with local and regional partners to promote comprehensive solutions for us all.
Supportive. We share resources across our communities and acknowledge the success of one community brings benefits to the entire area.
Trusting. We build deep relationships with one another and believe our tight-knit networks are the foundations for the future of the East Range.
Responsive. We recognize the voices of community members and adapt our efforts to address our most urgent needs and challenges.
Board Members
City of Aurora
Doug Gregor, Mayor
Luke Heikkila, City Administrator
City of Hoyt Lakes
Dave Zins, Mayor
Becky Lammi, City Administrator
Town of White
Edward Kippley, Board Vice Chair
Jodi Knaus, Town Manager/Clerk
Funding Sources
East Range Joint Powers Board
PARTICIPATION LOAN PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES
SELLER READINESS REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR HOME SELLERS
Small Business Development Center Partner
Northland SBDC
The Northland Small Business Development Center program serves the Northeast Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis. Our consultants work throughout this region to help anyone seeking assistance to start, manage, or grow a business, and our services are offered at no-cost to clients.
Vicki Hagberg
Business Consultant (She/Her)
Northland SBDC
218-228-8552 x103
vicki@northlandsbdc.org
Katherine Lahti
Area Banks
First National Bank of Gilbert
Hoyt Lakes Branch
207 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Hoyt Lakes, MN 55750
(218) 225-1100
gilbertbank.com
Embarrass Vermilion Federal Credit Union
600 W 3rd Ave North
Aurora, MN 55705
(218) 229-2048
evfcu.org
NorthRidge Community Credit Union
283 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Hoyt Lakes, MN 55750
(218) 471-2121
nrccu.org
Interactive East Range Trail Maps
Community Events & Meetings
This Friday & Saturday night — the Minnesota Wilderness battle the Granite City Lumberjacks at the Hippodrome! ⚡️$5 tickets all weekend⚡️ (sponsored by Mesabi Fit)
Mesabi Fit will be doing giveaways throughout this weekend’s games! Come out for a fun night of hockey 🔥
Friday, November 8th, puck drop at 7:05PM
Saturday, November 9th, puck drop 6:05PM
🎟️ Purchase your $5 game ticket at the gate!
Game sponsored by Mesabi Fit
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Lace up those skates and hit the ice at the Hoyt Lakes Ice Rink! Whether you’re gliding for fun or practicing your best moves, public skating is open and ready for you to make some memories! Don’t miss out on the action—check the link to stay updated on all the fun happening on the ice! ⛸ ❄️
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Nordic Ski is open to students in grades 7-12. The Nordic Ski Team is made up of students from Rock Ridge, Mesabi East, and MI-B. First day of practice is Monday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 at Giant's Ridge, South Chalet. Interested students and their parents should come to the mandatory Parents Meeting: Sunday, Nov. 10 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Giant's Ridge -- South Chalet
Any questions? Contact: Jon Wagner, Head Nordic Coach (218)780-7813 jonwagner74@gmail.com jwagner@isd2711.org
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Workforce Development
NORTHFORCE.org
NORTHFORCE is a regional program providing community-based talent retainment and attraction by connecting career-minded individuals with professional advancement opportunities and supporting our regional employers’ current and future workforce needs in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
Welcome Home
BeNorth.org
Play Here. Work Here. Connect Here. Move Here. Grow and Learn Here. Be Well Here.
Hello Iron Range
HelloIronRange.com
Welcome! Are you moving to the Iron Range, or considering a move? Let us help you learn more about the area. Start your journey by exploring this site!
Healthcare
Essentia Health/Northern Pines Medical Center (Aurora)
Hospital (218) 229-2211
Clinic (218) 229-3311
5211 Hwy 110
Aurora MN 55705
Education
Mesabi East Public School District #2711
Home of the Giants, this large school district encompasses 405.3 square miles in Northeastern Minnesota. It is a twice consolidated district, first with the consolidation of Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and the surrounding area. Subsequently, Aurora-Hoyt Lakes consolidated with Biwabik creating Mesabi East.
The school district’s population is approximately 8,000 residents concentrated in the three communities of Aurora, Biwabik, and Hoyt Lakes. The district is bounded by the following school districts: St. Louis County, Lake Superior, Duluth, Virginia, and Eveleth-Gilbert.
www.isd2711.org
Minnesota North College
Minnesota North colleges are open to you – and a bigger, brighter tomorrow. Tomorrow needs big thinkers. Tomorrow needs difference-makers. Tomorrow needs … you. And the closest place to go far with your tomorrow is right here in your backyard.
Choose from five Northeast Minnesota community colleges: Vermilion, Hibbing, Itasca, Mesabi and Rainy River. Go close. Go far. Go now.
Contact Us
Staff & Consultants
The ERJPB staff & consultants work with the local governments of Aurora, Biwabik, Hoyt Lakes, and the Town of White to provide planning tools and assistance to enhance the East Range area including:
- Regional Planning
- Grant Writing
- Redevelopment Planning
- Community Vision and Strategic Planning
- Presentations and Meeting Facilitation
- Developing and Nurturing Clients
- Project Management
Cherie Grams
Administrative Assistant
- Phone: 218.780.6144
- Email: erjpb@frontier.com
The Northspan Group, Inc. entered into a contractual relationship with the East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB) in October 2018 and serves as its staff consultant team.
Shaun Hainey
Consultant & Northland Connection Program Manager
- Phone: 218.481.7737
- Email: shainey@northspan.org
- Website: www.northspan.org
