U.P. Businesses and People
Continue to thrive!
More than
invested into the region
to grow and retain the
workforce.
More than
committed to infrastructure improvements.
More than
committed to development and expansion projects.
funded as part of
development and
expansion across the U.P.
Nearly
visitors to U.P. Parks.
tech startups formed with support from SmartZones.
The never-ending grit and determination of businesses and their people in the Upper Peninsula is demonstrated by the region’s successes in 2022.
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.
Upper Peninsula 2022 Year in Review
Business Development
Baraga County: Yooper Fitness opened in downtown L’Anse, repurposing old Gambles building
Baraga County: We Bike E Bike opened in May with a ribbon cutting
Delta County: Billerud finalized acquisition of Verso paper mill and MSF approved 15-year Forest Products Processing Renaissance Zone worth $29.4M to support project
Delta County: Former Northern Michigan Bank Building in Escanaba transforming into Lake Effect Distillery
Delta County: SignUP Graphics held ribbon cutting at new expanded location in Escanaba
Delta County: Perry Good Cleaners held ribbon cutting at new location in Gladstone
Delta County: Michigan Broadband held ribbon cutting at new home in Escanaba
Delta County: Shoe Sensations held ribbon cutting at new location in the Delta Plaza Mall
Delta County: Family Roots Chiropractic held ribbon cutting in Gladstone
Delta County: Tebears Sewing & Quilting opened new building in Downtown Escanaba, adding services and classes for the public
Delta County: Salvation Army opened their new Family Store in Escanaba
Delta County: Mulligans Food & Spirits held ribbon cutting and grand opening at location in the Escanaba Country Club
Delta County: Kobasic Creations moved to new 50K sq ft location near downtown Escanaba
Delta County: L&M Fleet Supply purchased old Shopko Building in Delta Plaza Mall and will open new Escanaba Location there, creating 80 new jobs
Dickinson County: Lake Shore Systems integrated with Trident Maritime Systems
Dickinson County: Former Groveland Mine site being developed into a solar farm by Circle Power Renewables, estimated local labor costs of $20M
Dickinson County: Menominee Range Investments, LLC and Barossa, LLC to renovate vacant building in Iron Mountain to house Oddfellows Drinkery startup —16 new jobs
Gogebic County: Ironwood and Bessemer get first Quik Trip Gas Stations in Michigan
Gogebic County: Midwest Family Ski Resorts purchased Big Snow Resorts — new Snowriver Mountain Resort to construct first high-speed chair lift in UP
Houghton County: Orbion Space Technology opens new plasma rocket factory
Houghton County: Match on Main grant winners included $25k to Keweenaw Coffee Works
Houghton County: Fire Tower Property Group, LLC to redevelop historic building in downtown Calumet to house Fire Tower Engineered Timber
Iron County: 15+ new businesses opened their doors or have new owners
Luce County: Several industrial park businesses are expanding or creating an expansion plan
Marquette County: The Honorable Distillery opened in historic rehabilitation in downtown Marquette, created 6 new jobs
Marquette County: Patronicity Crowdfunding Campaigns awarded $10K to Marquette Fish Cleaning Station Project
Marquette County: Peace Pie Company received $25K Match on Main grant
Marquette County: Kall Morris Inc. orbital debris remediation company received 3 U.S. Space Force research contracts worth $750K
Marquette County: RTI Surgical Metals division spun off to become Resolve Surgical Technologies
Schoolcraft County: Manistique Candle Company opened in east side business area in June
Schoolcraft County: Great Lakes Snack Company opened online and in downtown Manistique in July
Schoolcraft County: Boardwalk Bar and Grill opened in downtown Manistique in April
Schoolcraft County: Drift Alchemy opened in downtown Manistique
Schoolcraft County: Camp & Coastal expanded into vacant storefront in downtown Manistique
Schoolcraft County: LaTulip Brewing Company opened in Cooks in August
Upper Peninsula: Industry 4.0 Grants awarded to GLSV, Northern Wings, Superior Fab, L’Anse Manufacturing, Chicken Tramper, UP Fab, Argonics, Calumet Electronics
Upper Peninsula: U.S. Senate held joint hearings in the UP on mining opportunity relative to EV and mobility
Infrastructure
Alger County: M28 Downtown Munising Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Project completed — single largest MDOT project in Alger County this century
Baraga County: Village of L’Anse began $120K marina upgrade project with MDNR Waterways funds
Baraga County: Village of L’Anse began $2.5M Phase IV Sewer Project through USDA-RD
Chippewa County: Finished construction on Chippewa County International Airport general aviation terminal
Chippewa County: $550K allocated to replace 2.5 miles of rail within the county
Chippewa County: National Defense Authorization Act authorized Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to $3.2B on new Soo Lock under construction
Houghton County: Retained commercial air service at Houghton County Memorial Airport with assistance of $6.5M annual USDOT subsidy
Houghton County: MDOT and City of Houghton completed $9.6M College Avenue Reconfiguration project
Houghton County: City of Houghton received $1.5M for water utility infrastructure improvements
Houghton County: Torch Lake Sewer Authority received $3M USDA grant to upgrade sewage lagoons
Houghton County: Portage Charter Township to invest $1.7M to extend municipal sewer collection
Houghton County: North Houghton County Water and Sewage Authority to invest $4.6M USDA in wastewater collection and treatment system
Houghton County: Hancock received $400K EGLE Drinking Water Asset Management grant
Houghton County: EV Chargers added in Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Copper Harbor
Iron County: City of Crystal Falls invested $9.5M in wastewater system
Iron County: City of Iron River invested $1.2M+ in road and sewer infrastructure
Ontonagon County: Michigan DNR to spend $1.4M to renovate and upgrade facilities and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Upper Peninsula: MERIT Networks awarded $3M CARES Act grant to expand high-speed internet throughout Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties
Upper Peninsula: MSHDA awarded WUPPDR $500K to make energy-efficient home upgrades through MI-HOPE
Community Vitality
Baraga County: Village of L’Anse received $150K DNR Passport grant to upgrade Meadowbrook Arena
Chippewa County: Sault CVB I-500 Raceway to undergo $2.5M in enhancements to facilitate year-round property use for events
Chippewa County: CHN Annex Limited Partnership and Community Housing Network received $1.3M community revitalization grant to create 11 market rate apartments in downtown Sault Ste Marie
Chippewa County: Lake Superior State University tied for first as top Midwest public regional college and rose in four other US News & World Report ratings categories
Delta County: Joy Lutheran Church opened new location in Escanaba
Delta County: New Life Church held ribbon cutting for new Community Center
Delta County: Terrace Group to create an 80-unit hotel and restaurant on former Delta County Jail property
Delta County: North Shore Marine & Logistics will expand dock facility to service larger ships in Escanaba
Delta County: Swanee Group to build condo project that includes mixed-used business and rental space
Delta County: UP State Fair tops 100K in attendance for first time in 94 years
Delta County: Island Resort & Casino hosted LPGA/Epson Tour Event at Sweet
Grass Golf Club
Dickinson County: Iron Mountain named one of “Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You’d Actually Want to Live” by realtor.com
Dickinson County: Loyal 2 Local economic development and small business retention program celebrated five years
Gogebic County: City of Ironwood built 10 miles of mountain bike trail in Miners Memorial Heritage Park
Houghton County: Calumet received $1.3M MEDC CRP grant for 3 rehabilitation projects totaling nearly $3 million for housing, office spaces and retail store fronts
Houghton County: Hancock received $359K MEDC CRP grant to create middle market residential units — total investment $1M
Houghton County: City of Hancock celebrated Certification as Redevelopment Ready Community
Houghton County: City of Houghton received $350K CRP grant for 2 middle market
residential units and retail store front
Houghton County: Houghton County Land Bank Authority secured $200K for eight building, $381K demolition project
Houghton County: Houghton County Brownfield Authority supported $445K redevelopment of former Lakes Building Supply site
Houghton County: Calumet received $280,000 in CDBG funding to create multi-use park adjacent to Calumet Theater
Houghton County: Houghton received $1M MEDC RAP grant for Lakeshore Drive Corridor Rehabilitation along the Portage Canal downtown
Houghton County: City of Houghton completed $5.2M Houghton Pier Project
Houghton County: City of Houghton completed $410K of improvements to Kestner Park
Houghton County: Michigan Tech began construction of new $53.1M H-STEM building
Houghton County: The City of Hancock broke ground on 40-acre Hancock Business & Technology Park
Houghton County: Houghton County Land Bank Authority received a $100K grant to stabilize historic Calumet building
Houghton County: Hancock received $144K Recreation Passport grant for $225K Hancock Campground Bathhouse Renovation project
Houghton County: Hancock completed $80K dog park and $6K pickle ball court
Houghton County: Hancock received $45K EGLE grant for $90K waterfront restoration and remediation
Houghton County: Hancock received $192K Trust Fund grant towards waterfront property acquisition
Houghton County: Hancock completed $270K repair of DNR multi-use trail
Houghton County: Keweenaw Mountain Lodge received Dark Sky Park world designation
Houghton County: Viking and Victory Cruise Ships visiting Portage Canal, Upper Michigan
Houghton County: Houghton (and Marquette) Ranked Top 100 Cities in USA for Remote Workers
Houghton County: Michigan Tech has record applications and increased enrollment
Houghton County: Michigan Tech and Eagle Mine partnered for EV battery research
Houghton County: Recycling Innovation and Climate Sustainability received $10.6M in DOE funding
Houghton County: Waldo Solutions receives “Michigan Celebrates Small Business” SmartZone award
Houghton County: Steelhead Technologies in Laurium raises $2.2M Seed Round
Houghton County: MTEC SmartZone awarded $100K 2022 Rural Development Fund Grant for MTU’s research on hardwood Cross Laminated Timber panels
Iron County: CoVantage Credit Unions foundation helped 2 community organizations raise nearly $280K
Keweenaw County: The Nature Conservancy facilitated acquisition of 32.6K acres to improve public access to outdoor adventure recreation
Luce County: 3 vacant buildings purchased downtown with plans to add housing
Luce County: Worked closely with SBDC and established 6+ active clients for over a year
Luce County: Revolving loan fund provided working capital for small
businesses owners
Luce County: Awarded EDA grant for strategic plan and feasibility study for industrial park outside of Newbery
Mackinac County: Patronicity Crowdfunding Campaigns awarded $44K for St. Ignace DDA and Museum of Ojibwa Culture for new pavilion
Mackinac County: City of Mackinac Island received Certified Local Government Status to support historic preservation
Marquette County: Patronicity Crowdfunding Campaigns awarded $50K to City of Negaunee for inclusive playscape
Marquette County: MSF approved $3M grant for Hoponassu OZ to develop outdoor recreation and product innovation space in Marquette
Marquette County: Negaunee Downtown Enhancement Project and Ore Dock Brewing Company/Ore Dock Real Estate received RAP funds for expansion including new residential units in Marquette
Schoolcraft County: Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital completed $12.6M expansion
Schoolcraft County: Downtown Manistique became UP’s first state-licensed “Social District” allowing open carry of alcoholic beverages in designated district area
Schoolcraft County: Manistique Downtown Development Authority secured funding to extend lakefront and harbor area boardwalk — construction to begin in spring 2023
Upper Peninsula: InvestUP awarded $15M from Regional Housing Fund for UP economic development
Upper Peninsula: Enbridge permitted to operate pipeline through tribal lands while working to reroute the line
Upper Peninsula: Independent, family-owned Bay Insurance Agency with offices in L’Anse and Houghton celebrated 30 years
Human Capital
Delta County: UP Construction Council Skilled Trades Summer Camp in Gladstone gave 30 young people experience with skilled trades
Delta County: Chamber of Commerce started annual class of Delta Force Leadership Program which has trained 500+ young community and business leaders to date
Dickinson County: Dickinson County Healthcare System joined Marshfield Clinic Health System, expanding local outpatient surgeries and enhancing pediatric, primary and emergency care
Dickinson County: Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance Talent & Education Taskforce launched career and technical education magazine, Next-Level Career
Mackinac/Menominee Counties: Great Lakes Boat Building School broke ground on $3.8 Million Skills Training Center — construction to begin Q2 of 2023
Upper Peninsula: UP Michigan Works! helped 10 companies hire apprentices through Youth Apprenticeship Talent Pipeline
Upper Peninsula: UP Michigan Works! secured additional $300K for MiLEAP for a total of $1.9M toward short-term, high-demand occupational training
Upper Peninsula: UP Michigan Works! supported UP Construction Council Camp that provided paid hands-on trade exploration for 30 youths
Jobs & Growth
Alger County: Burt Township School District received state funding to vet/train drivers to transport students in specially equipped electric passenger vans
Delta County: Billerud North America mill project expected to generate approximately $1B and retain 1,240 jobs
Delta County: Bill permits Delta Force to transport mental health patients for courts and jails, adding jobs
Dickinson County: Louisiana Pacific Sagola to invest $194M in large-scale conversion project —will retain 152 jobs and create 50 new ones with potential for future expansion
Dickinson County: Business in Focus magazine featured Systems Control and BOSS Snowplow talent attraction collaboration
Houghton County: Calumet Electronics received $2.6M MEDC grant toward total capital investment of $6.5M, creating 80 manufacturing and engineering jobs
Houghton County: Kearsarge – Royale, Inc. completed $2.6M 14K sq. ft. expansion, creating at least 5 new jobs
Houghton County: Allouez Township – Mohawk Technologies completed $1.5M 7K sq. ft. expansion, creating at least 6 new jobs
Marquette County: NMU Foundation led a public-private partnership to catalyze mixed-use development at the former hospital site on College Avenue in Marquette
Marquette County: Accelerate UP had $2M in capital investments and served 97+ clients
Upper Peninsula: MERIT Networks high-speed internet expansion expected to create 50 jobs, retain 10 jobs and generate $5M in private investment.
Upper Peninsula: UP Michigan Works! helped 74 companies secure $1.9M from Going Pro Talent Fund
Upper Peninsula: UP Michigan Works! received $250K Michigan Industry Cluster Approach Grant to build OneUP workforce development initiative
Upper Peninsula: UP Michigan Works! increased program enrollment by 47%