IEDC Secures $1M to Advance Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Education and Workforce Development in Itasca County

Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is excited to unveil plans to create a space for entrepreneurial innovation. With over $1 million secured in grant funding, IEDC is renovating a 16,500 square foot facility at 1201 SE 7th Avenue in Grand Rapids. When complete, the space will be a place for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, students, educators, and anyone looking to learn new skills to advance a career in the industrial sector. “This project has been so long in the making, and we are absolutely thrilled to be moving forward so powerfully,” explained Tamara Lowney, IEDC President. “We were recently awarded a $750K RISE grant from the USDA, which will allow us to acquire equipment, complete renovations, and create an inspiring place for people to explore and iterate big ideas.” Introducing: The ForgeThe new space, dubbed “The Forge,” will be a place where ideas take shape. The facility will be outfitted with tools, equipment and machinery available for entrepreneurs to use during prototyping. Industry experts will be available for consultation and advice. Business consultants will be available for strategic advice, business planning and financial guidance. Students can come to learn about different industries and opportunities available in the region. Existing members of the workforce can hone new skills to advance their careers in any direction. The possibilities are endless, with much more on the horizon.“We are excited to see this opportunity at The Forge come to fruition,” explained Jessalyn Sabin, interim Dean of Academics at Hibbing Community College. “When students see what’s out there, they realize that the region holds more opportunity than they ever thought possible. The Forge will provide extremely valuable experiences to local students.”The facility will include individual and collaborative areas, a high-tech classroom, a community break area, a community equipment area, a student-only area, and private innovator-only areas to be leased to entrepreneurs to develop and test prototypes.

“The Forge will be an inclusive and ever-evolving concept,” said Randy Back, operations director at Jobs Empowerment and Training, a CareerForce partner. “Every day will look a little different because Itasca County’s needs are in flux. We envision a space that inspires exploration, education and collaboration to create new businesses and opportunities for career advancement throughout the region.”Tour the Forge on October 15, 2021, at 11:00 amJoin IEDC and partners in celebrating the Forge, where ideas take shape. It’s an innovative concept in a space designed to advance entrepreneurship, innovation, education, and workforce development.Date: Friday, October 15, 2021Time: 11:00 am. Address: 1201 SE 7th Avenue - Grand RapidsWalk through the space, hear remarks from Tamara Lowney, IEDC President; Congressman Pete Stauber; Andrew Gag, USDA Business and Cooperative Programs Director Rural Development; and more. The unveiling event is free and open to the public, the local business community, media representatives, elected officials, and anyone interested in exploring what the future of entrepreneurship looks like in Itasca County. Partners Bring the Forge from Concept to RealityFunding for The Forge comes largely from a $750K USDA Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) grant recently awarded to IEDC. The highly competitive RISE grant program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas. IEDC was one of just 10 grant recipients this year. “Creating an innovative, growth-focused center for the advancement of both entrepreneurship and workforce development is exactly the type of project the RISE program was created to support,” said Andrew Gag, USDA Business and Cooperative Programs Director Rural Development.Additional funding sources include a $130K grant awarded to Itasca Community College from the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, $150K from Itasca County ARP Funds, $50K from Arrowhead Intelligent Region, and generous equipment donations from e2ip Technologies. This project brings together excellent partners for the benefit of all Itasca County and the surrounding area. The Forge is a collaborative project that would not be possible without the hard work and efforts of many partners. IEDC would like to recognize and thank the Northeast