It's always amazing to hear the success stories of big thinkers, small business owners, and innovators from the Upper Peninsula. That's what we've got in store for this week.

As summer comes to a close, innovation is taking a few steps forward with new growth across various sectors of business in the Upper Peninsula. From large employers like hospitals and universities to the gig economy, the diversification of the U.P. economy continues to impress.

The new economic development  in Sault Ste. Marie this spring has been astronomical, outpacing other U.P. towns to summer business growth. 

On Earth Day, three communities in the UP will host hundreds of pro-science supporters in the March for Science. Farmers, scientists, artists and students are joining forces to plan community events in support of science, and to defend the scientific

Businesses continue to pop up, especially in the larger cities in the U.P. We've rounded up some of the notable new businesses that arrived over the past year and those that are signaling continued economic growth in the Upper Peninsula for 2017.  

Travel in any direction in Marquette County and you can see buildings that are monuments to U.P. history as well as vital and thriving contributors to their communities.

There are plenty of amazing places to eat throughout the Central Upper Peninsula, but we've selected a few of our favorites as must-stop spots. 

In the Anishinaabe language, Sasawin means nest, or safe place. The Sasawin Project provides that safe place for the pets of  women seeking shelter from domestic abuse.

Three Shores CISMA  is a group fighting invasive plant species in eastern U.P. locations and ecosystems including Mackinac Island.

The Dryland Dash will be held for the first time this weekend in Marquette County, a new way to showcase sled dog racing in the off season.