Wakefield Infrastructure grant will help UP attract once-in-a-generation economic development investments like the Copperwood Project, grow critical industries like forestry and timber
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Recent news that Aspirus Ironwood Hospital is cutting critical services such as labor and delivery, forcing pregnant women to drive nearly an hour to safely deliver their babies, is a painful reminder of the dire impact of the dwindling population in the Western UP. This news comes just over one year after Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital shut down in April 2024, underscoring the importance of attracting jobs and opportunities that will bring people and families to the Upper Peninsula. The $50 million infrastructure grant requested by Wakefield Township will help attract transformational economic development investments like the Copperwood Project while supporting critical industries like forestry and timber.
“The closure of Aspirus Ironwood’s labor and delivery unit is a gut punch to our community,” said Ironwood Mayor Kim Corcoran. “We’ve already seen what happened in Ontonagon when the hospital shut down last year. That’s why projects like Copperwood are so necessary. It will bring good-paying jobs, improve our economy and help grow our population. Ironwood may be a small town, but we’re people with real needs and it’s about time that was recognized.”
Sponsored by Rep. Greg Markkanen, the grant will help Wakefield Township make infrastructure improvements and upgrades that it could not make on its own.
“As a woman and mother, I understand how important it is that every community has access to healthcare services,” said Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake. “Unfortunately, our population has steadily declined over the years and we don’t have the workforce needed to maintain critical services. This grant gives us the opportunity to invest in our community and attract the type of economic development projects that will give us a future.”
The Western Upper Peninsula has suffered industry closures, hospital closures, declining school populations and degrading regional infrastructure that have made it hard for the region to attract economic development opportunities and retain its workforce, especially younger generations. This grant would help the region make the necessary infrastructure improvements to move transformational projects like the Copperwood Project forward.
“While the opposition rallies against jobs and an environmentally sound project, our hospitals can’t even find staff and our local women are going to suffer,” said Ironwood Township Supervisor Jay Kangus. “Their actions show the disconnect and how much they truly don’t understand or care about the real needs of our community.”
The Copperwood project is one of very few fully permitted greenfield copper mines in the United States and meets the strict environmental standards established by the State of Michigan. Michigan’s mining laws, passed with the support of environmental advocacy groups, are regarded as one of the most stringent mining regulations in the nation. Copperwood will not draw water from Lake Superior and is not permitted to mine under Porcupine State Park. It has been rigorously designed to protect against any leakage into Lake Superior and nearby waterways.
“The people you see rallying against the Copperwood Project, many of them live in thriving communities with nearby hospitals. While they most likely have a future, they are trying to kill ours. Don’t take the bait,” said Invest UP CEO Marty Fittante. “We need this infrastructure grant and projects like Copperwood. Without them, we will unfortunately continue to see the same rapid decline in population, industry and workforce that is hurting so many families and businesses in the UP.”
To learn more about the Copperwood Project, please visit www.copperwoodproject.com.
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About InvestUP
InvestUP is the regional economic development organization for the Upper Peninsula, working to advance prosperity across all fifteen counties of the U.P. Leveraging the region’s strengths, assets, and stakeholders, it works in partnership with the private sector, municipal and non-profit leadership, and institutions to drive the Upper Peninsula’s economy by seizing near-term opportunities and addressing long term strategic objectives that center on people, projects, place, and promotion. Investupmi.com.
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