Minntac’s Expansion on the Range Approved

MT. IRON - It's been around since the 60's and in order to expand its operations Minntac was being pushed by environmentalists to complete a lengthy and comprehensive study.

Recently a panel of judges ruled that step unnecessary, giving U.S. Steel the green light to grow and keep producing at the Minntac facility for the next 16 years.

"It's a positive thing for our community,” Mt. Iron Mayor Gary Skalko said. “I mean not only for our community, for the entire region."

The iron ore giant is looking to add 483 acres to its existing plant.

"So there'll be expansion definitely south probably west too,” said Skalko. "We are relocating County Road C, that's in the process right now."

Those living in the region are hopeful the new development will bring more people, jobs and economic spinoff to the Range.

"We do need to keep our young people,” said Skalko. “Good paying jobs, that will keep our younger people and that's the key."

"Whatever jobs are created here will also help all the towns in the quad cities area because people will live in one of the towns," Mt. Iron Economic Development Authority President Barbara Fivecoate said.

Minntac's expansion bodes well with Mountain Iron’s vision to grow and diversify.

"That's still a key to our area, we still have to diversify,” said Skalko.

City leaders tell FOX 21 they're actively trying to build their housing stock and bring in more manufacturing and commercial industry.

"I'd like to see Olive Garden and Red Lobster up here,” said Fivecoate. "We're growing and changing every day and that's what we wanna do.""So our economic development looks real good."

Officials say construction to make room for the expansion will happen in the coming months.

However, lawyers from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the group that initiated the appeal, wanted the DNR to require a full environmental impact statement before the expansion was approved.

They claim that Minntac was built before many current environmental laws and consider it one of the more problematic sites when it comes to pollution.

"We really would have liked to see the agencies be more aggressive in moving toward some solution here," attorney Kathryn Hoffman told FOX 21. "It's really unfortunate that the courts aren't willing to force the agencies to do so."