EVELETH – IRRRB has announced the recipients of its first round of FY17 IRRRB Culture and Tourism Grant Program awards.

Grants totaling nearly $150,000 were awarded to 14 projects across northeastern Minnesota. 

IRRRB Culture and Tourism grants are awarded on a competitive basis to non-profits within the IRRRB service area for arts, culture, heritage and recreational projects essential to quality of life and the economy.

A second application round will be open March 1-31, 2017.

IRRRB Culture & Tourism Grant Program FY17 first round awards:

Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce, Aitkin - $10,000

To support restoration of Showboat of the Mississippi riverboat for arts, education and entertainment activities.

Incredible Ely, Ely - $20,000

To support in construction of a new Veterans Memorial.

Iron Range Tourism Bureau, Eveleth - $10,000

To support production of videos on digital and social media that promote recreation, events and attractions within the Iron Range Tourism Bureau Tourism service area.

International Wolf Center, Ely - $6,000

To support a summer wolf billboard campaign.

Itasca Family YMCA, Grand Rapids -$20,000

To support development of outdoor pickleball, basketball and four-square courts.

Judy Garland Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids -$20,000

To support creation of a new interactive student education water quality and invasive species exhibit.

Northern Lights Music Festival, Aurora - $10,000

To support production and promotion of a special anniversary opera and classical musical event.

Northern TRAXX ATV Club, Chisholm - $20,000

To support creation of a 5.4-mile ATV trail as part of a 34.5-mile ATV trail system.

Range Nordic Gliders, Hibbing - $7,000

To support Carey Lake cross country ski trail improvements.

Range Runners Road Runners Club, Mountain Iron - $8,500

To support development of a Race in a Box distance runners’ trailer system, timing, and race course equipment system.

Tourist Center Senior Citizens, Hibbing - $1,900

To support creation of a Tourist Senior Center web site and a Hull-Rust Mine View web site.

Tower-Soudan Historical Society, Tower - $5,000

To support development of architectural construction documents for restoration of the historic Tower Fire Hall.

Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce, Two Harbors - $3,233

To support capital improvements at the R.J. Houle Information Center.

Visit Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids - $8,000

To support creation of 30-second videos for each of the attractions and events in Itasca County and embed the videos in a Google Map.