Advocates including Hibbing Mayor Pete Hyduke, Nashwauk-Keewatin School Board Vice Chair Barb Kalmi, labor leaders, union workers and other community members spoke with all four caucus leaders on the importance of the Mesabi Metallics project to northeastern Minnesota
[NASHWAUK, MN] – This week, advocates from Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol in support of the Mesabi Metallics project located in Nashwauk, Minnesota. Mesabi Metallics Company LLC (Mesabi Metallics) is constructing Minnesota’s first new mine in 50 years, along with a beneficiation plant and pellet plant to produce Direct Reduction (DR) grade pellets. At the State Capitol this week, advocates met with all four caucus leaders—Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, Speaker Lisa Demuth and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman—as well as legislative leaders across the Iron Range, members of the Governor’s Office and members of state agency leadership to discuss the importance of Mesabi Metallics’ project to northeastern Minnesota. Photos from the day and a caption sheet are attached.
“I very much appreciated the important meetings today with local legislators, party chairs and state agency representatives. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss the interdependence of our region and advocate for permitting for mining projects like Mesabi Metallics,” said Hibbing Mayor Pete Hyduke. “Mesabi Metallics is creating opportunity for the entire Iron Range, with employees coming from communities across the region. What’s good for Nashwauk is good for Hibbing, and vice versa—that’s why I’m proud to advocate for this project.”
“I was a young mother when the Butler mine in Nashwauk closed in 1985, laying off hundreds—I saw what that did to my community. That’s why I’ve been fighting like hell to give the Mesabi Metallics project the statewide momentum it needs to become operational,” said Barb Kalmi, Nashwauk-Keewatin School Board Vice Chair. “I’m proud to stand alongside my fellow Iron Rangers at the State Capitol to advocate for this project.”
“Meeting with legislators and statewide leaders was a great opportunity to highlight how vital Mesabi Metallics is to the future of Itasca County and the Iron Range,” said Itasca County Commissioner Terry Snyder. “This project represents real economic growth, and we’re committed to making sure it moves forward for the benefit of our communities.””It was important to be at the Capitol advocating for Mesabi Metallics and the jobs it will bring to our region. State leaders need to hear directly from us about how projects like this can revitalize the Iron Range and support the families who call it home,” said Itasca County Commissioner Casey Venema.
“On the Iron Range, we’re damn proud of what we build,” said Jason Quiggin, President of the Iron Range Building & Construction Trades Council. “Every day in Nashwauk, 400 Building Trades members are working on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: They’re building Minnesota’s first new mine in 50 years. It’s critical that our statewide leaders understand the magnitude of this opportunity and will give it the support it requires to get off the ground.”
“The group of advocates with Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! are powerful, resilient and passionate,” said Joe Broking, President & CEO of Mesabi Metallics. “The fact that they took a day to travel from the Range down to Saint Paul and participated in back-to-back meetings with state leaders speaks to the importance of this project to their communities. I trust that our state leaders listened to these community members and heard what they had to say.”
“In speaking with advocates this week, it’s clear that the Mesabi Metallics project is essential for creating jobs, strengthening local economies and advancing Minnesota’s position in the global marketplace,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson. “As state leaders, we will work to ensure this project’s success to secure a prosperous future for generations to come.”
“The Mesabi Metallics project is a key piece of our state’s industrial and economic future, and our discussions with advocates this week have only highlighted its potential,” said Speaker Lisa Demuth. “It is vital that leaders across state government work together ensure that this project moves forward for the benefit of Minnesota’s workers, economy and communities.”
Build Mesabi. Build Itasca! is a local action committee that advocates for the Mesabi Metallics project in Nashwauk, Minnesota. The group consists of members of labor leaders, local government leaders and community members. This year marks their second annual advocacy event at the Minnesota State Capitol.
