1 April 2009New logging assistance, engineering programs launched
1 April 2009
A program designed to assist northern Minnesota loggers and the creation of a four-year Iron Range engineering program, received Iron Range Resources Board approval Tuesday, March 31, 2009 in a board meeting at the State Capitol.
The logger assistance program redirects Laurentian Energy Authority loan payments due to Iron Range Resources for construction of biomass facilities in Hibbing and Virginia for the purchase of an additional 30,000 cords or more of wood per year for the two biomass facilities.
The two utilities burned a total of about 53,000 cords of biomass in 2008. If the two utilities during fiscal year 2010 purchase a minimum of 30,000 cords above the 2008 total, the authority’s scheduled loan payments to Iron Range Resources would be considered paid.
The board also approved the launch of an innovative four-year Iron Range engineering program under which students would receive an engineering degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato.
After two years of traditional engineering studies, students enrolled in the program would during their third and fourth years of education work with engineers at industries located throughout northeastern Minnesota to develop knowledge and skills.
An estimated 12 to 15 students are expected to enroll in Fall 2009, increasing to 65 students in the fourth year of the program.