Economic Development

Big projects ahead in downtown Munising

Jennifer Donovan Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Two-multimillion-dollar projects will bring much-needed housing and commercial development to Munising, the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

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Snowboarders at Mont Ripley. Photo courtesy of Alyssa Dupuis

Kids and Education

Michigan's oldest ski area plans improvements

Ann Dallman Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Mont Ripley Ski Area, unique among Michigan alpine destinations, has launched a fund-raising campaign to expand its long-standing chalet and make other improvements.

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Entrepreneurship

Menominee's Wind Rose North outfits outdoor enthusiasts

Ann DallmanWednesday, December 6, 2023

Family trips out West inspired a Menominee couple to open an outdoor equipment store more than two decades ago. Today, their son owns Wind Rose North Outfitters, successfully navigating an ever-changing economic river to provide quality gear and equipment to outdoor enthusiasts.

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Kids and Education

Farm to School: Lessons in fresh, local food

Rosemary ParkerWednesday, December 6, 2023

A new project by the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development aims to bring fresh produce to school children in two intermediate school districts. Farm to School will also expand understanding of and access to fresh, local food through a variety of activities.

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Economic Development

Gladstone: A hub for outdoor innovation

Jennifer DonovanWednesday, November 29, 2023

What is about Gladstone that inspires outdoor innovators? Walleye fishing? Hunting? Wherever that inspiration comes from, this outdoor community in Delta County is home to a multitude of outdoor manufacturers, creating everything from knives to fishing lures.

Feature Story

Copper Country initiative emphasizes fresh and local foods

Kym ReinstadlerWednesday, November 29, 2023

On its reservation in the U.P.'s copper country, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is striving toward the goal of food sovereignty, strengthening the community's ablility to produce more of its own fresh and local food sources.

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Entrepreneurship

Working remotely -- and happily -- in the U.P.

Sarah Spohn Wednesday, November 15, 2023

This current era of remote work allows professionals across many industries to choose where they want to work. For many, that choice is to work from home. A few professionals share their stories and perspectives of national remote work while living in the U.P.

Feature Story

Co-founders of KMI: Troy Morris, Austin Morris, and Adam Kall.

Entrepreneurship

KMI advances space debris removal efforts

UPword StaffWednesday, November 15, 2023

A mix of Department of Defense contracts and investments is bolstering Marquette-based Kall Morris Inc's innovative efforts to remove debris in space. KMI’s goal is #KeepingSpaceClearForAll

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Arts and Culture

Celebrate National Rural Health Day on Nov. 16

Douglas Siwek Wednesday, November 15, 2023

The Michigan Center for Rural Health encourages residents across the state to mark National Rural Health Day. The annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America.

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Courtesy of Northern Michigan University

Technology and Innovation

Maine firm brings cybersecurity know-how to Marquette

Jennifer Donovan Wednesday, November 8, 2023

A Maine-based cybersecurity firm has set up shop in the U.P., working with Northern Michigan University and its Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute to develop cybersecurity, computer science and risk management capabilities for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

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Economic Development

Munising: Ready for future investment

Rosemary Parker Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Munising, the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, is among the latest Michigan communities to earn the state's Redevelopment Ready designation. Streamlining the development process and other city matters, Munising is poised for new investment.

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“Last year, we onboarded primary care providers at many of our hospitals across the state,” says Kalchik. “So, we would expect that in another few years, the Sault will be in the same situation.”

Healthy Communities

Despite nationwide provider shortage, MyMichigan Health remains committed to Sault community

Gabrielle HaidererWednesday, November 8, 2023

Michigan is one of the five states experiencing the most critical staffing shortages among healthcare workers, including physicians. Despite the shortage, MyMichigan Health is showing it is committed to the Sault community in a variety of ways including: ensuring residents have access to the services they need to keep their care close to home, supporting providers who are already in the community, and recruiting new providers to the community.

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Entrepreneurship

Raising spirits: Couple opens distillery in former Menominee funeral home

Ann DallmanWednesday, November 1, 2023

An entrepreneurial couple has turned a former funeral home in Menominee into a distillery and tasting room, adding to the downtown's roster of new businesses. The aptly named Spirit House plays up its interesting past.

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Recent graduates, from left to right, Theresa Higdon, Lysa Stockwell, Ashley Jarvi .

Community Development

Childcare SPARK finds unique solutions to pressing issue

Jennifer DonovanWednesday, November 1, 2023

A collaborative effort of several organizations under the umbrella of the Lake Superior Community Partnership is addressing the childcare issue in the U.P. Childcare SPARK trains prospective home childcare providers and also encourages graduates to develop their own in-home businesses.

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The campus of Northern Michigan University.

Economic Development

New NMU fellowship promotes economic development in the U.P.The goal is retain talent and help communities

UPword StaffWednesday, October 25, 2023

A first-of-its-kind fellowship program in the state will provide Northern Michigan University students with hands-on experience in economic and community development in the Upper Peninsula, while also encouraging them to pursue careers in those fields and make the U.P. their home.

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Keweenaw Area Community Foundation board members and staff, sitting with PLDL director in the KCF sponsored meeting room, “Big Trailside Meeting Room.”

Community Development

Fulfilling a community need on the Keweenaw

Jason M. Karel Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Responding to the demand for public meeting space, the Keweenaw Community Foundation has created free community-accessible meeting spaces at the Portage Lake District Library and at its own offices in Hancock.

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This vacant building will be redeveloped as Marquette's cultural center.

Community Development

Creating a cultural hub in Marquette

Rosemary Parker / UPword StaffWednesday, October 18, 2023

Marquette has big plans for the future of culture in the city. A vacant building will be transformed into the city's cultural center, drawing more residents and visitors alike downtown. The site also will include a trailhead, connecting the local, state and national trails in the region.

Feature Story

A rendering of the redeveloped stretch of Ludington Street in downtown Escanaba.

Economic Development

'Longest small town downtown’ gets a faceliftOne of many development projects in Escanaba

Rosemary ParkerWednesday, October 18, 2023

With a state grant in hand, Escanaba is moving forward on the redevelopment of five blocks of Ludington Street. The project is one of many developments sprouting up in Escanaba.

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Economic Development

Pine Mountain expands, further connects to community

Greg TaskerWednesday, October 11, 2023

The new owner of Pine Mountain Ski and Golf Resort in Iron Mountain aims to build on the property's storied past and its ties to the community, while adding bike trails and improving amenities.

Feature Story

The Vault Hotel opened in Houghton in 2019.

Entrepreneurship

Vault Marquette project set to begin construction

UPword StaffWednesday, October 11, 2023

A $4.6 million state grant is helping the much-anticipated Vault Marquette project move forward with construction. The downtown redevelopment project will transform an historic bank building into a boutique hotel and add a much-needed downtown parking structure.

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