2015

• Partnered with Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability and launched the Rutabaga Project; providing healthy, local food to low-income neighborhoods.
• Elder Services Network dissolves and transitions the Grocery-to-Go service, the medical equipment loan closet, and provider network to Senior Services.

2014

• AEOA and KOOTASCA Community Action entered into a unique partnership for shared service direct and administrative services. AEOA was given a Promising Practice award from MinnCap for this partnership.
• Arrowhead Transit leased a garage in Sandstone for its Pine County buses.

2013

• The Northern Lights Association dissolves and transitions the Senior Partners Care Program to Senior Services.
• AEOA received an enrollment grant through MNsure and began a partnership with three other community action agencies to form a coalition to assist consumers with applying for medical assistance and Minnesota Care.
• Arrowhead Transit built an addition on to their building in Gilbert to provide a custom designed office space for dispatchers.

2012

• Senior Services receives SNAP outreach funds to provide outreach and application assistance to seniors and other eligible people in St. Louis County.
• AEOA partners with the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board to create the Business Energy Retrofit Program which provides funding to rehabilitate businesses in the Taconite Assistance Area.
• Expansion of Transitional Housing for AEOA Youth Service in Koochiching and Itasca Counties funded by the Bremer Foundation and OEO – RHYA.
• Arrowhead Transit received a grant from Blandin and was able to rebrand its busses and logo.

2011

• AEOA hired more than 50 employees to help with the demand of the expanding Weatherization Program. Eighty percent (80%) of those hired had been unemployed prior.
• Arrowhead Transit added Pine County to its service area.

2010

• Early Head Start was awarded funding through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and added an additional 32 families.

2009

• Senior Services expands Senior Dining/Meals on Wheels to Duluth.
• Virginia Youth Foyer ground-breaking and site development commenced.
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides $132 million dollars to the State of Minnesota for the Weatherization Assistance Program; the largest increase in funding in the history of the program.
• Land is purchased, and the construction begins on the Youth Foyer, creating 15 new units of housing in the City of Virginia.

2008

• The Rural Rides project is developed by Transit to address the most frequently mentioned and challenging barrier to employment: reliable transportation. Arrowhead Transit's International Falls Facility was built.

2007

• AEOA completes a community assessment that is essentially the “voice of the people.

2006

• Head Start’s “Caries Away” program helps pregnant women and children ages birth to 3 years receive oral health services.
• Arrowhead Transit acquired Cloquet Dial-a-Ride operations.

2005

• AEOA celebrates 40 years in action.
• The AEOA Foundation is created to strengthen our financial security for the long-term.

2004

• Senior Services expands the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to Duluth.
• Senior Services launches the rural Bundled Delivery service model in Aitkin County; a collaborative partnership with private and human service agencies that “bundles” several services – prepared meals, grocery delivery and medication pick-up – and delivers the “bundle to the homes of homebound seniors in rural and remote areas.

2003

• Head Start was awarded a Federal Early Head Start grant to serve an additional 50 pregnant women, infants, and toddlers.

2002

• AEOA completes a new facility in Two Harbors for the Transit, Adult Basic Education, Head Start, and Housing programs.

2001

• The new Human Resources department aids in selection, retention and training of staff.

2000

• Head Start reopens in Virginia and begins providing in-home counseling services.
• Senior Services expands Senior Dining/Meals on Wheels to Itasca and Koochiching Counties

1999

• A comprehensive Community Needs Assessment of 595 low-income households helps analyze the concerns of low-income households in our area.

1998

• Employment and Training and Transit help public assistance MFIP recipients’ transition from welfare-to-work.

1997

• YouthBuild collaborates with Housing to renovate a single-room occupancy apartment complex for homeless individuals.

1996

• Housing Services begins operation of a homeless shelter in the city of Virginia.

1995

• Senior Services begins the ROCK program (Raising Our Children’s Kids) to offer support for grandparents who are the primary caregiver of their grandchildren.

1994

• Welfare reform is on the top of most legislative agendas, with changes occurring in welfare-to-work strategies.
• Arrowhead Transit's Grand Rapids facility was built.

1993

• The Agency puts considerable effort into a community needs assessment survey to analyze the needs of low-income residents.

1992

• An updated Agency mission statement is developed and adopted by the Board.

1991

• The Agency acquires a main frame computer to centralize information technology.

1990

• AEOA's celebrates 25 years in action.
• Grand opening of Arrowhead Transit's new headquarters.

1989

• Construction begins on Arrowhead Transit's new regional headquarters in Gilbert.

1988

• AEOA partners with Twin Cities agencies to help the unemployed find fulltime jobs, housing, and financial assistance to relocate to the metropolitan area.

1987

• AEOA helps develop the American Indian Employment Program in conjunction with the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

1986

• AEOA launches the Hospitality Host Program, combining the region's talented older workers and the growing tourism industry.

1985

• Arrowhead Transit receives national recognition when nominated as the Outstanding Rural Transportation System of the Year.

1983

• AEOA develops the Apple Tree Learning Center childcare facility
• AEOA opens a network of Food Shelves.

1982

• Agency economic development activities incorporate into the Arrowhead Community Economic Assistance Corporation (ACEAC).

1981

• AEOA implements the Adult Basic/Continuing Education Program which helps adults improve skills in basic education, daily living, and employability.
• Senior Services held the first ever All-County Senior Picnic.

1980

• Congress enacts Low-Income Home Energy Assistance allowing AEOA to serve a greater number of area residents.

1979

• Transit ridership doubles and continues to grow until Arrowhead Transit is now the largest rural public transportation system in the nation.

1978

• AEOA, as a Title I lender, expands its housing rehabilitation programs.

1977

• In further response to the energy crisis, AEOA provides emergency fuel cost assistance to the elderly and low-income individuals.

1976

• AEOA begins offering home rehabilitation programs to low-income homeowners.

1975

• The "Energy Crisis" prompts a new Fuel and Energy Program.

1974

• AEOA delivers Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs for low income individuals.

1973

• The Elderly Nutrition Project helps seniors live independently in their own homes.

1972

• The first Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in the state of Minnesota begins.

1971

• AEOA establishes the Arrowhead Community Economic Assistance Corporation.

1970

• The Mayor's Conference on Aging is the beginning of an effort to establish programs for senior citizens.

1969

• Recognizing the need for chemical dependency treatment on the Iron Range, AEOA starts the Arrowhead Center for Problem Drinking, which later becomes a separate organization.

1968

• AEOA collaborates with the Range Bar Association and area judges to generate support for a free legal aid program for low-income people.

1967

• Rural youth improve academic skills while enjoying Camp Buckskin near Ely.

1966

• In further response to the energy crisis, AEOA provides emergency fuel cost assistance to the elderly and low-income individuals.

1965

• AEOA is established!