Hometown Focus reports on projects in the following communities Aurora, Biwabik, Chisholm, Embarrass, Eveleth, Gilbert, Hibbing, Hoyt Lakes, Mountain Iron, Virginia and surrounding townships…

With a portion of its Blandin Broadband Community grant, the Iron Range Tourism Bureau has awarded technology mini-grants of $1,500 each to regional nonprofits that serve visitors. Grants were given to:

• Club Mesabi,
  • Embarrass Township/Finnish Homestead Tours,
  • Eveleth Heritage Society,
  • Hibbing Historical Society Museum,
  • Hibbing Tourist Center,
  • Iron Range Historical Society,
  • Camp Vermilion,
  • Lyric Center for the Arts,
  • Minnesota Museum of Mining,
  • Minnesota Discovery Center,
  • SISU Heritage/Nelimark Museum, and
  • Virginia Area Historical Society.

“Through the Blandin Broadband grant, we’ve been able to assist our valued partners in tourism, namely organizations that serve visitors and help preserve our area’s history,” said Beth Pierce, executive director of the Iron Range Tourism Bureau. “Ultimately, these grants will impact the visitor experience— whether tourists or locals—in a positive way, and help these nonprofits achieve their own goals.”

They also mention a few past projects…

Other Blandin Broadband Communities Program initiatives being undertaken by the Iron Range Tourism Bureau include the creation of a virtual reality mine tour, a talent attraction website, a digital map of arts and artists, and a local “good news” campaign. For more information, contact Pierce at beth@ironrange.org or 218-749-8161.