EDA and Schroeder Township to begin strategic planning process for Taconite Harbor

In recent months, discussions, meetings, and momentum for the potential future development of Taconite Harbor on Cook County’s west end have surfaced.

In 2016, the Taconite Harbor coal-fired power plant based in the Schroeder area closed and, more recently, in 2023, began the decommissioning process. The 172-acre property is owned by Minnesota Power and has potential to support the transition from a power plant to other economic activities.

Taconite Harbor Plant | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

While discussions about the site’s future have frequented various municipal and county government agendas in recent years, progress has fallen relatively flat as allocation of resources and funding have been needed to move forward.

In Sept. 2024, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded Cook County a Community Energy Transition grant totaling $1 million. The funds were designated for two projects in Cook County, one being $800,000 for the county waste transfer station and $200,000 to develop a strategic plan for the transition of the Taconite Harbor Energy Center.

During the January and February Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) meetings, the EDA Board discussed and took action to move forward with the beginning of the strategic planning process.

With the $200,000 in funding, the EDA Board will hire a professional consulting firm to facilitate the strategic planning process for Taconite Harbor. The hired firm will work in collaboration with Minnesota Power and local and regional stakeholders to complete land use studies, research, economic planning and impact studies, and solicit public input. 

The EDA Taconite Harbor Subcommittee, comprised of EDA Commissioners Dave Mills, Tracy Benson, and Siri Anderson, is working to review and finalize the language in a request for proposal (RFP) document that the EDA will submit to solicit interest from professional firms.

Although many stakeholders are involved in the potential development of Taconite Harbor—including Schroeder Township, Minnesota Power, Cleveland Cliffs, and other Cook County governmental entities—the DEED funding was allocated to the EDA, which will oversee the project directly.

EDA Director Heidi Krampitz, who recently stepped into the position in November 2024, said the Taconite Harbor project is an opportunity for Cook County to diversify the economy, and it is “extremely exciting to be working in a community like this with such a bright future.”

“It’s indeed an exciting time to be on the EDA Board,” said Board President Peter Clissold. “I’m honored to be the president, but the redevelopment of Taconite Harbor is certainly once in a generation, if not once in a lifetime opportunity for Cook County.”

Throughout the strategic planning process, the potential uses of the site will be identified. Discussions during city, county, and township meetings have included opportunities for residential and commercial development, among a variety of other things.

“Schroeder Township would like to see mixed uses,” said Bruce Martinson, the Schroeder Township Board Chair.

Martinson said the Schroeder Township has discussed the potential for residential, commercial, and light industrial use on the site. The most important component, Martinson said, is to keep the one-acre small craft harbor open. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, the small craft harbor is located adjacent to the former Cliff’s Erie Taconite loading facility. “The township definitely wants that to remain open for the public.”

Small Craft Harbor Sign | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Krampitz said the EDA and other stakeholders are aware of current environmental concerns at Taconite Harbor that may limit or create obstacles throughout the development process. “Since the site used to have a coal-powered plant there, there are some contaminants on the site that will definitely have an impact on costs for future redevelopment.”

“So that’ll be key in the strategic planning process,” she said.

Similar to other city and county strategic planning projects, Clissold said, the public will be engaged throughout the process. “At this stage of the process, the options are wide-ranging, and we don’t want to predispose as to what that site might be.”

He said, “We’re very much looking forward to input from the public, and in fact, would lean on the public for input because that will make for a much better plan.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with EDA Director Heidi Krampitz, EDA Board President Peter Clissold, and Schroeder Township Board Chair Bruce Martinson about the ongoing Taconite Harbor plans and further details as the EDA begins the strategic planning process. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins March 9, 2025