New Grand Marais Transfer Station showcased, as opening date nears
The Grand Marais Transfer Station, a nearly 11-year project aimed at improving efficiency and creating a more environmentally friendly waste management process, is nearing completion.
With less than two weeks until the doors open and operations transition to the new facility, North Shore Waste, Cook County, and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting event on Friday.
Stakeholders, state legislators, city and county officials, and members of the public attended the open house event to see the new facility.
“This has been a long time coming,” County Administrator Kristen Trebil-Halbersma told WTIP in a recent interview.
Trebil-Halbersma said, “It’s just an incredible building. A lot of work from our construction companies and from our facilities director, and of course, North Shore Waste.”
The event, held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offered attendees an opportunity to tour the facility.
At 10:30 a.m., Trebil-Halbersma welcomed everyone to the Friday open house and spoke about the county’s partnership with North Shore Waste and years of engagement with various stakeholders to bring this project to fruition.
Several other parties spoke during the event, including Senator Grant Hauschild, Representative 3A Roger Skraba, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Bobby Deschampe, and North Shore Waste co-owner Dustin Hanson.
North Shore Waste co-owner Dustin Hanson speaking during the ribbon cutting ceremony
Hanson outlined the planning process and funding sources that made the $8 million project possible over the past decade. The project was supported by several state funding sources, including the state Mineral Tax Bill, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) administered through the Cook County Economic Development Authority, and other sources.
Hanson also spoke about how the project has been championed by Cook County and numerous county officials throughout the years. One of the individuals heavily involved in the project, in various capacities, is Rena Rogers, Hanson said. He thanked her for her unwavering support for the project.
Hanson told WTIP during the event that North Shore Waste will continue operations at its existing site for the next week or two before transitioning to the new facility. He said there are a few more operational details to finalize and staff to train on the new equipment and space before opening the door to the general public for waste services.
Rather than dumping waste outside, as at the current site, the new transfer station will allow garbage trucks to unload directly inside the large facility, enabling semi-trailers to be loaded for long-haul transport to Duluth.
View photos of the new Grand Marais Transfer Station and Friday’s open house and ribbon-cutting event below.
Kalli Hawkins June 26, 2026
