2021 Year in Review
More than
is being invested into the U.P.’s infrastructure.
More than
across the region opened for business or expanded and created jobs.
Nearly
expanded or joined larger healthcare systems to advance rural healthcare options.
More than
record visitors
More than
was invested into the region to grow and retain the workforce.
to Mackinac Island and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
is committed to development and expansion projects.
More than
was invested into the region to grow and retain the workforce.
record visitors
to Mackinac Island and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
More than
is committed to development and expansion projects.
The never-ending grit and determination of businesses and their people in the Upper Peninsula is demonstrated by the region’s successes in 2021.
And of course, the region’s quality of life, outdoor adventure opportunities, and natural beauty continued to make the Upper Peninsula a great place to work, live, play, and do business.
U.P. Businesses and People
continue to thrive!
Business Development
SAULT STE. MARIE: Lake Superior State University selected as Hub for U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise for the Great Lakes
HOUGHTON: Orbion Space Technology raises $20M in a Series B funding round, wins MVCA “Financing of the Year” Award
MARQUETTE: Trenary Toast Cafe opens in Marquette
MARQUETTE: Fairfield Inn in Marquette celebrates grand opening
ISHPEMING: Ishpeming Taco Bell opens in September
IRON MOUNTAIN: Dickinson County Healthcare System secures $16.9M USDA loan
IRON MOUNTAIN: 95-room, all-suite hotel planned in downtown Iron Mountain, $16M project
ESCANABA: BayBank opens new branch in Escanaba
ESCANABA: Northern Lights YMCA moves to former M-Tech building on Bay College Campus
ESCANABA: Peninsula Federal Credit Union opens new building
UPPER PENINSULA: Higher education institutions bring $1B to U.P. economy
HOUGHTON: Michigan Tech’s GLRC receives $44K to help advance region as hub for maritime industry
MACKINAC ISLAND: Mackinac Island tourism sets revenue record in 2021
BARAGA: Van Straten Enterprises, Inc. awarded “Car of the Year” at the SEMA awards for its X3 Solar Generator/Charging System in partnership with Ford on the Ford Mustang
MUNISING: Pictured Rocks sees 1.5M visitors in 2021 season
GLADSTONE: Biggby Coffee opens for business
GLADSTONE: Bronzeback, Inc. relocates to Gladstone. Downtown Gladstone is attracting new businesses and enhancing its curb appeal with building updates
GLADSTONE: Water’s Edge Chiropractic relocates to historic Rialto Center in Gladstone
ESCANABA: K9 Cosmetology opens its doors
ESCANABA: Key Reality relocates to newly renovated building
ESCANABA: State Wide Real Estate opens at new location, allowing business to grow employees
ESCANABA: Holy Name High School reopens after being closed for 45 years
ESCANABA: Michigan Planners opens business in downtown Escanaba
LUCE COUNTY: Almost $11M distributed into community through COVID-19 loans and grants
NEWBERRY: Northern Michigan Wood Products (a cedar sawmill operation) opens
NEWBERRY: Bee Wise Farms thrived and grew during COVID-19
NEWBERRY: Pine Stump Junction creates large outdoor covered dining area with warming stations for snowmobilers
MARQUETTE: Kall Morris, a space-tech startup, wins the $10,000 prize at the first-ever virtual pitch event hosted by the Center on Rural Innovation
HOUGHTON: Signature Research moves into new facility in Houghton Industrial Park
IRON MOUNTAIN: JD Castings expands, creating a $770,000 investment and 24 jobs
IRON MOUNTAIN: BOSS Snowplow expands twice (manufacturing and office space) in 2021, totaling 59,700 sq. ft.
HARRIS: Island Resort and Casino‘s $33M expansion moves to Phase 2. Expansion includes 130 additional rooms as well as a large restaurant and indoor water park. This brings the total capacity to 435 rooms—making it the largest venue north of Milwaukee
MARQUETTE: Veridea Group acquires First National Bank Complex, a $10M renovation resulting in 200 jobs
CALUMET: REL, Inc. completes expansion, bringing manufacturing facility to over 32,000 sq. ft.
IRON MOUNTAIN: Systems Control acquires Keystone Electrical Manufacturing Co.
UPPER PENINSULA: Three U.P. companies awarded more than $190K to expand and improve capabilities—DeGrief’s Processing, Trenary Toast Bakery, and Upper Peninsula Masonic Association
IRON COUNTY: 10 new businesses open doors in Iron County and continue to thrive and contribute to local economy
HOUGHTON: Somero Enterprises breaks ground on 50K sq. ft. expansion
MARQUETTE: Northcross Group opens office in First National Bank building in Marquette
Infrastructure
MARQUETTE/KINROSS: Sawyer International and Delta County airports each receive more than $5M in FAA grants
HANCOCK: City of Hancock awarded $2.7M grant from U.S. EDA to provide flood-resilient infrastructure for new business and technology park, expected to create 61 jobs, retain 147 jobs, and generate $17M in private investment
HOUGHTON: Houghton County Memorial Airport awarded $1M FAA grant
HOUGHTON: Houghton County secures finalizing flood money
LUCE COUNTY: $6M upgrade to County Road 407
UPPER PENINSULA: Highline Internet bringing 6,000-mile fiber network, starting in Delta County but will continue to expand service throughout U.P.
GLADSTONE: City of Gladstone and Gladstone DDA sponsor a makeover of 9th street, including new underground water management systems and paving—a $4.8M project funded through municipal bond
Community Vitality
MANISTIQUE: Vacant building in downtown Manistique (107 River Street) receives MEDC support to redevelop into four residential units (total cost of $494,534 with private investment of $123,817)
IRON MOUNTAIN: Imagination Factory Children’s Museum opens
HOUGHTON: City of Houghton receives $4M for Pier Placemaking Project
MARQUETTE: Masonic Arts, Theatre, & Innovation Company receives $49,800 grant from State of Michigan
ISHPEMING: Hematite Art Park completed after successful crowdfunding campaign with support from MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative
MARQUETTE: NTN and MEDC raise over $30K for Carp River Bridge project
IRON MOUNTAIN/KINGSFORD/NORWAY: Dickinson Trail Network expands and creates more trails
HOUGHTON: Michigan Tech COVID-19 Lab recognized by state leadership
SAULT STE. MARIE: Lake Superior State University awarded for joint collaboration with War Memorial Hospital to create mobile Acute Container Care Pods
DOLLAR BAY: Horner Flooring provides special event flooring for volleyball play at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games
AMASA: Connor Sports manufactures premium hardwood court at Fiserv Forum—the home court of NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks
ESCANABA: U.P. State Fair returns and sets daily records—the largest economic impact of any event in Delta County
ESCANABA: Dedication and formal grand opening of the Marble Arms Outdoor Exhibit & U.P. Military Museum
UPPER PENINSULA: $690K awarded to five U.P. counties through DNR Waterway Grants
CHASSELL/SAULT STE. MARIE/AHMEEK: Three U.P. communities awarded energy efficiency upgrades from EGLE, totaling $42,000
MARQUETTE: Veridea Group proposes new $20M housing development, creating 60-70 duplexes
COPPER HARBOR: Copper Harbor ranked as top ice fishing destination for 2022
Human Capital
IRON MOUNTAIN: Dickinson County Healthcare System signs Letter of Intent to join Marshfield Clinic Health System, advancing rural healthcare delivery options
MANISTIQUE: Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital expands to increase patient services and better serve community
SAULT STE. MARIE: War Memorial Hospital and MidMichigan Health sign agreement making War Memorial Health the eighth Medical Center in the MidMichigan Health System
Jobs & Growth
GWINN: Superior Extrusion, Inc. broke ground on a $20.4M expansion at Sawyer International Airport, expected to create 44 new jobs
MARQUETTE: SISU Innovation Institute opens at NMU ensuring that learners are provided the education experiences needed for the jobs of today and into the future
ESCANABA: Escanaba Area Public Schools receives $160K grant from Upper Peninsula Manufacturing Consortium to prepare students for careers in trades
UPPER PENINSULA: U.P. Michigan Works! awarded nearly $1.7M in MiLEAP funds, $1.4M in GoingPro Talent funds, $550K in State Apprenticeship Expansion grants, $400K in MiREACH funds, and $250K in MICA 3.0 grants—totaling $4.3M—to create a Training and Education Collective and boost the U.P. workforce
UPPER PENINSULA: First-year enrollment increases at all four U.P. universities—LSSU, MTU, FU, and NMU as well as Bay College—expected to bring thousands into U.P. economy
LUCE: $1.2M investment at Tahquamenon Falls to build pedestrian bridge
MARQUETTE: Innovate Marquette secures Capital Challenge grant from U.S. EDA’s Build to Scale program, infusing $611,911 into local economic development efforts over next three years
SAULT STE. MARIE: U.S. Department of Commerce invests $3.5M to support manufacturing growth in Kincheloe
SAULT STE. MARIE: Chippewa Government Solutions gains 8(a) status and awarded a $7M contract from the U.S. Army, providing multiple high-tech, high paying jobs
SAULT STE. MARIE: The Sault Tribe Economic Development Corporation breaks ground on a 20,000 sq. ft. light industrial complex
UPPER PENINSULA: U.P. Michigan Works!, through its Career and Education Advisory Council, retains local talent by connecting businesses with educators to solve local workforce challenges
UPPER PENINSULA: 4 U.P. businesses receive total of $100K to support jobs and grow Michigan’s economy
*The amount of investment depicted only represents what has been shared with us or is publicly reported. As a result, this amount is likely under-reported.
Download a copy of the 2021 Year in Review PDF