More Than 100 Supporters Launch “Our U.P, Our Future” Coalition to Champion Jobs and Responsible Economic Growth in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Broad coalition includes residents, businesses, labor and economic development leaders from every UP county fighting for the region’s future

A new coalition of more than 100 local leaders, labor unions, business leaders and Upper Peninsula residents today announced the launch of “Our UP, Our Future,” a movement dedicated to championing the creation of jobs and opportunities for the UP while protecting the region’s natural resources and way of life. The coalition includes all four of the UP’s state legislators, underscoring broad support for the effort across the region.

The U.P. has faced decades of economic hardship. Industry and hospital closures, declining K-12 populations and crumbling infrastructure have made it difficult for the region to attract the kind of jobs and opportunities needed for families to prosper. The “Our UP, Our Future” coalition represents a group of community members standing united in the belief that the UP deserves opportunities and investments that will give the region a future. 

The coalition’s priorities also reflect what residents across the region say they want. Recent statewide polling conducted by EPIC-MRA found 71% of Michigan voters support the Copperwood Project and 58% of voters support state funding for the project. 

“Attracting new opportunities and industry to the U.P. is how we create the jobs that keep families here and move this region forward while protecting our natural resources. We know economic opportunity and the environment can co-exist because of the Eagle Mine," said Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUp. “Invest UP is proud to be part of a coalition that’s working to make that a reality. The support here is real and it’s our job to make sure the rest of the state knows it.”

The coalition includes a growing list of organizations, businesses and residents who see responsible economic development as critical to the region’s future. Coalition members work or do business in every Upper Peninsula county, including economic development organizations, labor and trades groups, diverse businesses and institutional leaders like schools and local government officials. 

“We’ve watched jobs disappear and young people follow,” said Dan Siirila, Chairman of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners. “As a county official, I have a responsibility to do everything I can to reverse that trend. So when opportunities come along that bring real jobs and real investment to Gogebic County, that matters deeply to the families I represent. That’s why I’m proud to be part of the ‘Our U.P, Our Future’ coalition. We’re calling for real economic opportunity in our communities and giving the next generation a path forward.”

One investment the coalition supports at its onset is the Copperwood Project, which will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to the Western U.P. Copperwood prioritizes environmental protections and meets all of Michigan’s rigorous standards – some of the most stringent in the country – demonstrating that economic opportunity and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. 

“Our members have had to travel hours for work, or leave the U.P. altogether, because the opportunities haven’t been here,” said Ryan Stern of the Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council. “The trades have skilled workers who want nothing more than to build something in their own community and come home at the end of the day. When a project like this comes along, one that could positively change the future in the U.P, Michigan’s building trades are going to stand behind it.”

“Our UP, Our Future” is calling on local, state and federal leaders to stand with U.P. workers and communities to support responsible projects that meet Michigan’s standards and deliver the good-paying jobs this region has long deserved.

“Running a small business here means you get to know everyone at a personal level and you feel every person who leaves,” said George Dellich, owner of Club 28 Restaurant in Wakefield. “When good jobs aren't here, families move and they take their grocery runs, their Friday night dinners and their everyday spending with them. A community that can't keep its families can't keep its businesses. That's why 'Our UP, Our Future' matters to me. When the UP has good jobs, local businesses thrive and so do the communities we're part of."

Coalition Members

Garth Stengard, manager, Gogebic County Road Commission

Barry Bolich, chairman, Gogebic County Road Commission

Dan Siirila, chairman, Gogebic County Board of Commissioners 

Jay Kangas, supervisor, Charter Township of Ironwood

Mandy Lake, supervisor, Wakefield Township

George Dellich, owner, Club 28

Tim Lynott, CEO, Keweenaw Land Association

Mayor Kim Corcoran, City of Ironwood

Mike Smith, Executive Director, UP Construction Council

Alan Tulppo, superintendent, Gogebic-Ontonogan Intermediate School District 

Jerald Wuorenmaa, executive director, Western U.P. Planning & Development Region 

Mayor Dale White, City of Wakefield 

Dave Anderson, general manager, Back 40 Project

Ryan Stern, Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council

Mike Yon, Gogebic County Board of Commissioners 

Steve Lehto, business service specialist, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!

Denny Olson, board member, Great Lakes Timber Professionals

Jim Paquette, owner, Custom Machining & Engineering

Chris Rigoni, owner, Bacco Construction

Rich Ernest, manager, Ontonagon Chamber of Commerce

Mike Foley, site manager, Highland Copper and Ironwood resident

Ed Legault, executive director, Delta County Economic Development Alliance

Mindy Meyers, Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance

Kelly W. George, Mackinac Credit and Compliance

John Jamar, CEO, CCI Systems, Inc

Bruce Moore, president and general manager, Highline-Midwest

Thomas H. Nagy, CEO, M. J. Electric, LLC

Steve Mattson, CEO, Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.

Bruce Noren, owner, Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort

Chris Lake, owner, Silver Creek Excavating

Dan Martinson, superintendent, Ironwood Area Schools

Wendy Frush, CEO, Munising Memorial Hospital

Munising Memorial Hospital

Brad Crimmins, A. Lindberg & Sons Inc.

Chris Olson, president, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation

Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation

Steve Arwood 

Kevin Vanatta, general manager, Newberry Motors 

Brett J Botbyl, city manager, City of Menominee

Ryan Sistad, executive director, Better in our Backyard 

Andy Moyle, Moyle Construction

Moyle Construction

Joe Thiel, CEO, Innovate Marquette

Alexander Kofsky, executive director, Accelerate UP

Brian Breneman, CPA, CGMA, Breneman Advisors 

Breneman Advisors 

Enhance C-Suite

Headwaters North

UP Construction Council 

Kelly Plunger, president, Wendricks Truss, Inc.

Eric Schneller, owner, Snow Country Contracting

Tom Schneller, owner, Snow Country Contracting

David Rowe, CEO, MTEC SmartZone 

Nikki Radke, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation

Heather Mosher, Acrisure

Roy Loukus, GM Williams Parts

Loukus Technologies

Natalie Chmiko, CEO, Lake Superior Community Partnership

Jeff Hagan, CEO, EUP Regional Planning

Matt Johnson, VP, Talon Metals

Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development

Up Concrete Pipe

JM Longyear

Northern Hardwoods

Able Medical Devices 

Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.

Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance

Greater Munising Bay Partnership

Luce County Economic Development Corporation

Ontonagon County Chamber of Commerce

Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance

Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! 

Build U.P. 

Plumbers/Pipefitters and HVAC Techs, Local 111

Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund

Victoria George, Schoolcraft Tourism and Commerce

John C. Siira, president of Forward Wakefield Economic Development Corporation

Stan Kaczmarek, president Gundlach Champion

Jennifer Kelly

Mark Pontti, Evergreen Consulting Services LLC

John Walsh, Michigan Manufacturers Association

John Madigan

Tonya Darner, CEO of UP Health Systems

Bob La Fave, village manager, Village of L’Anse

Steve Soderman, VanAire, Inc.

Jonathan Mead, president, UP Association of County Commissioners 

1885 Capital/Superior Innovaatio

REL Inc.

Williams Parts & Supply Inc.

Pine & Mine Industries

Jennifer Watson, CEO, Limestone Financial Credit Union

Dave Goudreau, president, Northern Wings

Mike Furmanski, GM, Alger Delta CEA

Triest Forest Products, Inc. 

Greenleaf Timber Holding, Inc.

Basic Towing, Inc. 

North Shore Marine Terminal & Logistics, Inc. 

Michigan Manufacturers Association

Albert Santoni, Dickinson Homes, INC.

Helen Johnson, RN, FACHE, CEO, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Ed Glowacki, Consulting Geologist

Rapid River Knifeworks, Inc

Larry Johnson, 108^th House District candidate

Sen. Ed McBroom, 38th District

Sen. John Damoose, 37th District 

Rep. Dave Prestin, 108th District

Rep. Karl Bohnak, 109th District

Rep. Greg Markkanen, 110th District

Rep. Parker Fairbairn, District 107