Downtown Building Rehabilitation

Downtown Business Rehabilitation (DBR) grants are funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and administered through a partnership with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) to assist business owners with financing code compliant construction and remodeling projects.

Contact: Noah Ningen from AEOA, noah.ningen@aeoa.org or 218-780-8061.

Grant Cycle Dates: Open year-round. Businesses are encouraged to apply at any time for an opportunity to receive a DBR grant. There is no risk to apply. Applications are reviewed twice per year.

Eligible Applicants:  Small business owners located within Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation's service area.

FY27 Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) Guidelines

FY25 Downtown Building Rehabilitation Grant Program Evaluation

Success Story

Northeast Technical Services, Inc. (NTS), an environmental science and engineering firm, celebrated its 40th year on the Iron Range with a major expansion that doubled its office space. NTS renovated an adjacent building on Chestnut Street in downtown Virginia. The building, a former brownfield site previously occupied by Goodwill Industries, underwent substantial upgrades. The expanded facility now includes 18 additional offices, a dedicated field preparatory area, and a large conference room that can accommodate up to 50 people. NTS was awarded a Downtown Building Rehabilitation grant to support the expansion and help pay for code compliancy upgrades to the building. Founded in 1985, NTS has grown from a six-person team to a company of 50 employees.