Episode 20: Ryan Sistad, Executive Director of Better In Our Back Yard
https://vimeo.com/1075148211 In this episode of Lead to Succeed, host Steve Arwood welcomes Ryan Sistad, Executive Director of Better In Our Back Yard, for a timely conversation about resource development, environmental responsibility, and the economic future of the Upper Peninsula. Ryan shares how his organization supports responsible industrial development by promoting policies that balance job creation, […]
Episode 19: Mandy Lake and Chris Patritto
https://vimeo.com/1065539277/f4ea0e2509 In this episode, Lead to Succeed welcomes Chris Patritto, President of Gogebic Community College, and Mandy Lake, Wakefield Township Supervisor and Bessemer City Manager, to discuss the economic potential of the Copperwood Mine project. With job creation, infrastructure investment, and community growth on the line, they break down what this could mean for the […]
Western Upper Peninsula Communities Demonstrate Continued Support for the Copperwood Mine Project
Ironwood Township, Wakefield Township, Erwin Township, Gogebic County Board of Commissioners and Gogebic County Road Commission Unanimously Approve New Resolutions of Support MARQUETTE, Mich. and VANCOUVER, Canada — Communities in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan are reaffirming their support for Highland Copper Company’s Copperwood Mine, a project that is expected to create more than […]
Episode 18: Zach Hautala, Jacqui McElroy, Kortni Wolf, and Gerard Valesano
https://vimeo.com/1057642930/c5d2704193 In the first episode of Lead to Succeed in 2025, host Steve Arwood sits down with key players behind a major housing project in Crystal Falls. Guests Zach Hautala (Director at Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance), Jacqui McElroy (Director of Business Development at S.C. Swiderski), Kortni Wolf (Development Manager at S.C. Swiderski), and Gerard […]
The People of the Western U.P. Continue to Wait for Action on Copperwood
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 […]
Don’t Let Misinformation Kill a Once in a Generation Opportunity
UPPER PENINSULA, MI (December 16, 2024) — 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, 300 construction jobs and meet Michigan’s stringent mining and environmental regulations. “Both state and national environmental regulations ensure the protection […]
Build U.P. and Local ISDs Form Unique Partnership to Address Housing Crisis and Workforce Development in the U.P.
UPPER PENINSULA, MI (October 30, 2024) — The Upper Peninsula needs homes. In fact, according to polling commissioned by InvestUP, a lack of available housing is the “top challenge” facing the Upper Peninsula. The lack of available housing not only drives up housing costs, but also stands in the way of growth, including the ability to attract […]
Crystal Falls Partners with Build U.P. to Take Action to Address Housing Shortage
CRYSTAL FALLS, MI (October 8, 2024) — Sixty-eight new housing units are coming to Crystal Falls with financial backing from Build U.P., which is a housing development fund managed by InvestUP. The city will add a significant inventory of desperately needed new multi-family housing units. This development will go a long way in helping alleviate […]
MEDC incentivizes Calumet Electronics with $7.5M to help build much-needed DoD technology and upskill workers
Funding also helps solidify Michigan’s semiconductor future with first package substrate manufacturing facility in the United States UPPER PENINSULA, MI – Calumet Electronics, a 55-year-old printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer, located in Calumet, MI, has been called upon by defense OEMs to pioneer packaged substrates critical to the semiconductor sector for aerospace and defense. MEDC […]