Hundreds of jobs and millions in economic impact remain on hold
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Leaders from Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula today are expressing their disappointment in the Senate’s lack of action on a grant supporting public infrastructure for the Copperwood project while remaining optimistic it will move forward in 2025. The funding will support the project and the surrounding community. The Copperwood project in Wakefield and Ironwood Townships in Gogebic County presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Michigan and the Western Upper Peninsula. The project will create more than 380 permanent jobs and 300 construction jobs and meet Michigan’s stringent mining and environmental regulations.
“We have waited so long for this but we remain persistent and patient on behalf of the people of the Upper Peninsula,” said Invest UP CEO Marty Fittante. “While we are disappointed the Senate chose not to take action on the Copperwood Mine project this year, we are optimistic it will move forward in 2025. Today’s decision is not representative of a failure; it’s simply another step in the process. We will continue to work with our leaders in Lansing and the local community to make sure this project, and the benefits it will bring to the local infrastructure and region, come to fruition.”
The project has had strong local support from the beginning. Twenty-two units of government, ranging from townships to county boards, have issued resolutions of support, nearly ten local institutions have submitted letters of support, and dozens of community members have spoken publicly in support. The project also received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund and approval from the House Appropriations Committee.
“The Western Upper Peninsula deserves jobs and opportunities. We are the furthest from the capital, and sometimes it feels like we are the furthest from their minds,” said Wakefield Township Supervisory Mandy Lake. “The Cooperwood Mine project is an opportunity to give our community hope for a brighter future and a reason for our children to stay in the area. Mining is in our roots. It’s who we are. We know it can be done safely, without harming the environment, and in a way that promotes tourism and positively impacts generations of residents.”
If approved in 2025, the State of Michigan’s Strategic Site Readiness grant will be used to make critical improvements and upgrades to local roads, power, and telecommunications infrastructure that will support this project and the surrounding community for years to come.
More information about the Copperwood Project can be found here.
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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.
Media Contact InvestUP: invest@investupmi.com (906) 376-0676
