Ironwood Seeks Funding for 3 Major Projects

City Commission approves applications for federal grants to address affordable housing, infrastructure, and public safety needs

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:00am

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The Ironwood City Commission has approved the submission of applications for Congressional Discretionary Spending (CDS) grants to fund three major projects in the city: the Wells Fargo Affordable Housing Project, the Newport Location Water and Sewer Project, and the purchase of two or three new squad cars for the Ironwood Public Safety Department. The city is seeking to close funding gaps and secure additional resources to address these community needs.

Why it matters

These projects aim to improve housing affordability, upgrade aging infrastructure, and enhance public safety in Ironwood. Securing federal funding could help the city move forward on these important initiatives that address key priorities for the community.

The details

For the Wells Fargo Affordable Housing Project, the city is working with a developer to create 50 units of affordable housing, but faces a $2.5 million funding gap. The city also needs to apply for a $10 million low-income housing tax credit. The Newport Location Water and Sewer Project would address old, leaky water mains and a lack of sewer system in that neighborhood, at an estimated cost of $1.85 million. The city would need to provide a 20% match of around $370,000. The public safety request is for two or three new squad cars for the Ironwood Public Safety Department.

  • The city commission approved the CDS grant applications on March 12, 2026.

The players

Paul Anderson

Ironwood City Manager who summarized the targeted projects for the city commission.

Tom Bergman

Ironwood Community Development Director who will work with the public safety department on the CDS application for new squad cars.

Matthew Sterbenz

Ironwood Public Safety Department Director who will work with the community development director on the CDS application for new squad cars.

Carol Erickson

Chair of the Ironwood Human Relations and Equity Committee, which requested a resolution to allow the committee to accept donations and solicit funds.

Steve Frank

Ironwood City Commissioner who expressed concerns about the committee soliciting funds, saying it "puts people on the spot" and that the city should not be in that position.

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What they’re saying

“We have been struggling to figure out how to close that gap.”

— Paul Anderson, Ironwood City Manager

“There's no sewer system in the neighborhood. Instead, each of the 27 households has its own septic system, and some of those are failing.”

— Paul Anderson, Ironwood City Manager

“The answer's always no if you don't apply.”

— Paul Anderson, Ironwood City Manager

“I really don't like that. It puts people on the spot. It puts businesses on the spot.”

— Steve Frank, Ironwood City Commissioner

“Yeah, I think it needs a little more work.”

— Paul Anderson, Ironwood City Manager

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Ironwood is proactively seeking federal funding to address critical community needs around affordable housing, aging infrastructure, and public safety. While securing these grants is not guaranteed, the city's efforts demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents.