The ERJPB began in 1984 as a collaboration and partnership effort between Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, the Town of White, and the local school district. Since then, the City of Biwabik was added in 2010 and the school district dropped out in 1994.

The four communities 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. The current Strategic Action Plan includes additional resources to expand and enhance collaboration and other comprehensive plan goals and objectives.

Review the Strategic Action Plan HERE!

Purpose

The Board develops and implements policies and procedures for:

  • The preparation of an area-wide development strategy for the East Range area.
  • The preparation of promotional material and conduct of other public relations functions in the interest of maintaining and attracting new development in the East Range area.
  • Research and investigation of potential programs to support stabilization and growth of existing and new development in the East Range area.
  • Coordination and facilitation of development efforts with public and private interests both within and outside of the East Range area.

Board Members

City of Aurora

Doug Gregor, Mayor
Luke Heikkila, City Administrator

City of Biwabik

Jim Weikum, Mayor

Jeff Jacobson, 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

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.

https://northlandsbdc.org

Request for Services

Vicki Hagberg

Business Consultant (She/Her)
Northland SBDC
218-228-8552 x103
vicki@northlandsbdc.org

Katherine Lahti

SBDC Business Consultant, Quad Cities/East Range

Area Banks

American Bank of the North

221 North Main Street
Biwabik, MN 55708
(218) 865-6345

ambnk.com

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

Northern State Bank

213 Main Street South
Aurora, MN 55705
(218) 229-2234

nsbashland.com

Funding Sources

East Range Joint Powers Board 

Disaster Relief Loan Program

Click Here to Learn More

Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation

IRRR
Grant & Loan Resources

mn.gov/irrrb

Arrowhead Regional Development Commission

ARDC RLF
Revolving Loan Fund

ardc.org

Entrepreneur Fund

Business Programs
Financing Resources

entrepreneurfund.org

Northland Foundation

Emerging Entrepreneur Loans
Business & Quick Turn Loans

northlandfdn.org

Great River Energy

Business Expansion Loan Program
E3 Loan Program

greatriverenergy.com

Premiere  Available Sites

Click Blue Button to See All Available Commercial Properties on the East Range

East Range Sites & Buildings

Interactive East Range Trail Maps

Community Events & Meetings

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East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB) Monthly Meeting

January 23, 2024 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am

East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB) Monthly Meeting

February 27, 2024 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am

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.

Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Inc.

AEOA
Employment & Training

aeoa.org

JET: Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training

JET
Workforce Development

nemojt.org

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

essentiahealth-northernpinesaurora

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.

https://www.nhed.edu/

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