Research, Education & Workforce Development

RESEARCH

The University of Minnesota-Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI), minerals research lab is located in the city of Coleraine, the University of Minnesota Extension, the U of MN Research and Outreach Center, the United States Forest Service and the Aspen Larch Research Center are all located on the campus of Itasca Community College at the eastern edge of Grand Rapids.

EDUCATION

Primary and Secondary Education: Within the borders of Itasca County, four independent school districts and five private schools deliver excellent early childhood through 12th grade public and private school education.

School District & No. of Students*

ISD #318 Grand Rapids/Bigfork - 3,916

ISD #316 Greenway - 1,280

ISD #317 Deer River - 991

ISD #319 Nashwauk-Keewatin - 724

*Enrollment number for K-12 for the 2003-04 school year

Itasca Community College:

Career Programs: Certificates, one-year and two year programs prepare students in business, computers (network administration and webmaster) health care and natural resources.

Transfer Programs: Associate degrees in preparation for transfer to four-year colleges and universities in engineering, geographic info rmation systems, education, humanities and business.

Customized Training: Business-specific training, customer service, leadership skills, and coaching, customized to meet the needs of the individual business.

Computer Education Center : Located in the heart of downtown, the center offers computer software skills training (regularly scheduled classes and customized) and Group Systems planning software (on-site or remote via Internet).

Universities: Nearby Bemidji State University and University of Minnesota-Duluth offer a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs which include engineering, computer science, business, industrial safety, and education.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Alumni Outreach: If you grew up in the Itasca area and have wished you could move back but are uncertain of the opportunities available to you, we encourage you to sign up for the monthly alumni newsletter titled What’s Up Itasca? The newsletter was created for alumni from the Itasca County area and provides current information on topics relating to business and industry, area schools and communities, employment and housing, and coming events.  If you have an interest in receiving a monthly email copy of the newsletter, please sign up by using the following link:  Sign Up Form

The Minnesota Workforce Center, located in Grand Rapids, and the Itasca Resource Center is a collaboration of the following state and regional agencies: Arrowhead Economic Development Agency, Northeast Office of Jobs and Training, Minnesota Rehab and Minnesota Job Service. A variety of programs for workforce training and job listings are available. www.mnworkforcecenter.org