First-year enrollment increases at all four U.P. universities expected to boost U.P. economy
All four U.P. universities—Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, and Finlandia—saw increases in their first-year student enrollment this year. The growth is expected to bring in thousands of dollars across the U.P.’s economy. After an uncertain future during the pandemic, the increases provide relief for both the universities and the U.P. as a whole. […]
Eagle Mine nationally recognized for safe practices two years in a row
InvestUP Board Member Eagle Mine recently accepted the ‘Sentinel of Safety Award’ from the National Mining Association—being recognized for having the best safety record, considering the number of injuries compared to hours worked. Eagle uses safety as a fundamental in all decision making, taking a proactive approach to safety by investigating all near-accidents, so they […]
InvestUP CEO delivers an “UP to us” message during Economic Club of Marquette County event
InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante was the featured speaker at this week’s Economic Club of Marquette County event, focusing on economic development in the U.P. and challenging residents to find different ways to contribute. “No matter what your role is, find a space to help your community and advance development,” he said. Thanks to the Economic […]
Marketing Department Inc. helps companies grow business
Marketing Department, Inc. (MDI) is the region’s largest, most experienced, and recognized full-service agency located in downtown Houghton, MI. While the 15-year-old agency has clients across the state, their heart and passion lie within U.P. companies. Recent accomplishments include: • Fueling growth for Calumet Electronics from 75 to over 300 employees and positioning the company […]
Michigan Tech and Bay College sign partnership agreement
Two Upper Peninsula educational institutions—Michigan Tech and Bay College—are working together to encourage higher education and ease the transition from community college to a four-year institution. Through the recently signed agreement, Bay College students pursuing an associate’s degree will gradually prepare for their transition to a bachelor’s degree program at Michigan Tech. Advisors at both […]
UP population loss should be a wake-up call
While Houghton County was the only Upper Peninsula county with a population gain (+2%, 733 residents) per the new U.S. Census data, InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante believes there’s never been more opportunity for the U.P. He cites, as just one example, a recent partnership between InvestUP Board Members Northcross Group and Northern Michigan University who […]
JD Castings’ Iron Mountain expansion expected to create up to 24 jobs
JD Castings, a Wisconsin-based provider of casting solutions, is expanding into Iron Mountain. The project is expected to create 24 new jobs in Iron Mountain and generate a total private investment of $770,000 with the support of a $200,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund. “JD Castings is expanding […]
Gundlach Champion Inc. earns AGC Build Michigan Award
Gundlach Champion Inc., a division of InvestUP board member Champion, Inc., is the 2021 AGC Build Michigan winner. The company was awarded in the Design Build Category for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Marquette Casino Remodel and Expansion project. The KBIC and Gundlach Champion worked through design considerations, site utility challenges, and budget constraints to […]
Michigan jumps 13 spots in CNBC’s Top States for Business Ranking
Michigan landed the #11 spot in CNBC’s Top States for Business annual ranking, marking a 13-spot improvement from 2019. The annual ranking evaluates 10 broad categories of competitiveness, in part based on issues states have identified as the most important in business attraction areas. In 2021, cost of doing business and infrastructure categories took on […]
NMU faculty and students learn new automotive cybersecurity system
Funded by a $2.4 million Marshall Plan for Cyber Talent Grant, a group of Northern Michigan University faculty and students is training to use a new cybersecurity system — using car monitors and a dashboard simulator to learn how vehicles operate through coding. In a matter of months, NMU students will be learning how specific […]