Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $5.5 million investment in the Upper Peninsula project, which includes Northern Hardwood, and the money will be used for a new biomass boiler and backpressure steam turbine at the Atlantic Mine facility. be. (Photo courtesy of Northern Hardwoods)
LANSING — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced business investments and community revitalization projects in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The project represents a capital investment of more than $5.5 million and will protect 85 high-wage jobs in the region.
“Today’s project will drive more than $5.5 million in investment and protect 85 good-paying jobs in Houghton and Schoolcraft counties,” said Governor Whitmer. “From upgrading sawmills to reduce operating costs and emissions to building more housing in downtown Manistique, we win projects, invest in places, and build inclusiveness to help people. We continue to work to add more tools to our economic development toolkit to help more businesses expand and developers build more affordable housing. Together, we will continue to prove Michigan is a great place to live, work, and invest.”
“Today’s announcement supports Team Michigan by supporting business development, ensuring job retention, and highlighting U.P.’s regional revitalization efforts,” said Matt McCauley, MEDC senior vice president of regional development. “It furthers our commitment to people, projects and places.” “We applaud the work Northern Hardwoods and Cedar Street Real Estate have put into achieving success in Michigan.”
Northern Hardwoods Lumber announced plans to invest in and install a new biomass boiler and backpressure steam turbine at its Atlantic Mine facility in Houghton County. Investing in facility upgrades provides an opportunity to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to more energy-efficient processes. The investment will also ensure the longevity of the company’s operations, preserving 85 jobs in the city. Without this investment, the company would have had to go out of business at the end of the life cycle of its current boilers.
The company anticipates a $4,750,000 capital investment, supported by a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The 85 jobs that will be protected as a result of this investment will have an average wage of $23.76 per hour plus benefits, or $4.50 per hour above the area median wage. In addition to MSF’s support, the company also received a $1 million Wood Innovation Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Investments in northern hardwood forests will help Michigan establish itself as a leader in climate action through both the MI Healthy Climate Plan and federal macro-industrial policies, while creating and protecting projects that create and protect good-paying jobs. This further strengthens Michigan’s position to compete and win. CHIPS Act, Inflation Control Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“The Northern Hardwoods continues its long history of providing high-wage jobs by processing some of Michigan’s most valuable timber from the hardwood forests of the Upper Peninsula,” Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance said Jeff Ratcliffe, Executive Director. “We are proud to support their continued investment in their communities and Northern Hardwoods’ efforts to increase production capacity and efficiency and continue to be a great employer in the Keweenaw. We would like to thank MEDC for their financial support.”
The company’s parent company, JM Longyear, is a privately held company located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that acquired Northern Hardwoods Lumber, LLC in 2015. Northern Hardwoods is a hardwood sawmill built in 1969 that currently produces 20 million board feet annually.
“Northern Hardwoods is deeply grateful for the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation,” said Cody Meyer, director of financial planning and analysis for JM Longyear. “The project to install a new biomass boiler and steam turbine will allow us to continue operations, maintain a talented workforce and further leverage the renewable resources that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has to offer. ”
