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Mining Tax Guide - Minnesota State Legislature

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Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (cont.)<br />

Taconite <strong>Mining</strong><br />

IRRRB supports a healthy <strong>Minnesota</strong> mining industry. Since the<br />

Taconite Economic Development Fund (TEDF) was approved by<br />

the <strong>Minnesota</strong> <strong>Legislature</strong> in 1993, more than $156.1 million in<br />

taconite production tax payments has been rebated to taconite<br />

producers for reinvestment in facilities.<br />

In addition to the TEDF, the IRRRB has provided an additional<br />

$46.3 million since 1993 through its Taconite Assistance Program,<br />

Producer Grant Program (PGM) and other assistance. Included is<br />

a $10 million appropriation from the Douglas J. Johnson Economic<br />

Protection Trust Fund, which in 1996 provided grants to taconite<br />

producers for environmentally unique reclamation projects and<br />

facility improvements.<br />

From 1993-2011, IRRRB has reinvested a total of more than $202.5<br />

million in the <strong>Minnesota</strong> taconite industry through its programs.<br />

Facilities and Programs<br />

IRRRB owns Giants Ridge, a nationally-recognized golf and ski<br />

resort at Biwabik which attracts approximately 130,000 visitors<br />

annually. Giants Ridge operates two 18-hole championship golf<br />

courses and a winter sports facility. The Legend and The Quarry<br />

golf courses have earned numerous national accolades. Giants<br />

Ridge ski facility offers 35 alpine ski runs, more than 60 km of cross<br />

country ski trails, a tubing hill and easy access to lakes, mountain<br />

bike trails, the Mesabi Trail, a multi-use paved recreational trail,<br />

and thousands of miles of snowmobile trails.<br />

26<br />

<strong>Minnesota</strong> Discovery Center, a historical museum and park in<br />

Chisholm that collects, preserves, interprets and promotes the history<br />

and cultural heritage of northeastern <strong>Minnesota</strong>, is owned by<br />

the IRRRB and managed by Ironworld Development Corporation,<br />

a non-profit. IRRRB also operates a Mineland Reclamation program,<br />

headquartered near the <strong>Minnesota</strong> Discovery Center campus<br />

in Chisholm. The Mineland Reclamation program partners<br />

with communities and mining companies in undertaking safety,<br />

environmental and economic development projects on abandoned<br />

minelands. A residential building demolition program assists communities<br />

and property owners in razing dilapidated structures to<br />

create space for new home and business development. The Laurentian<br />

Vision Partnership, an IRRRB initiative, collaborates with<br />

business, governments and community interests to demonstrate<br />

how the mining process can create land forms to accommodate<br />

residents, the environment and the regional economy.<br />

With culture and tourism an integral part of northeastern <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />

life and the economy, IRRRB supports culture and tourism<br />

activities within the TAA by working with community and<br />

regional tourism partners. The agency provides financial, facilitator<br />

and technical assistance to tourism and cultural and heritage<br />

organizations to help enhance the region’s quality of life. IRRRB<br />

support stimulates culture and tourism across northeastern <strong>Minnesota</strong>,<br />

enriching communities through artistic, heritage-related<br />

or recreational activities and projects.

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