news release
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
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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 will involve more than $5.5 million in capital investment and 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, retaining 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 our community and appreciate 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. ”
If you are interested in a career in the Northern Hardwoods, click here.
Cedar Street Real Estate has announced a revitalization effort for a former bank in the heart of downtown Manistique by revitalizing the building’s second floor. The building’s architectural features and previous facade restoration work make it one of Schoolcraft County’s finest jewels. The building will be converted from a vacant commercial building into a commercial and future residential complex with $250,000 in support from the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Build MI Community Grant Initiative.
The project will involve the redevelopment of a total of 4,670 square feet of former office space into three two-story residential apartments, representing a capital investment of approximately $820,000. Activating this space will increase density in downtown Manistique while providing much-needed housing units in the area.
“We were looking to invest in downtown Manistique by providing much-needed housing along a commercial corridor,” said Christina Behrens and Antonio Adan of Cedar Street Real Estate Development. said. “My family has lived in this area since the 1960s and we feel connected to the community. This building was on the market a few years ago and when we visited, we saw the potential of the floor plan and the beauty of the building.” We were immediately drawn to the mixed-use development, which will allow patrons to enjoy a more pedestrian-friendly downtown area.”
The site is a priority for the City of Manistique and has received local support in the form of an estimated $81,577 in OPRA tax credits. Invest UP, the region’s economic development agency, prioritized projects in the region by providing collateral support through its Build UP program.
“We are excited about Christina and her receipt of the MEDC Build MI Community Program grant,” said Victoria George, Schoolcraft Executive Director of Tourism & Commerce. “Her project to renovate the Manistique Bank building is a great example of how small developers can have a big impact on their communities, adding three new apartment buildings to the area. , Christina directly addresses the housing shortage and provides much-needed housing options for residents. It also provides valuable support to those working on projects in our community, including MEDC and others. We are also grateful for programs like Invest UP’s Build UP program.”
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