How does a college project turn into a thriving outdoor brand? Discover how NMU student Evan BeVier and healthcare founder Gretchen Heinen scaled their big ideas with the help of Innovate Marquette SmartZone.
The newly formed Isle Royale Heritage Alliance, coordinated by the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation, has launched a formal partnership to scale up the volunteer-driven preservation of Isle Royale National Park's historic cabins, fisheries, and lighthouses.
Since July 2023, the NMU Center for Rural Health has certified 152 community health workers to connect underserved Upper Peninsula residents with vital medical and social resources. Funded by the Michigan Rural Health Transformation project, this initiative integrates workers into 30 regional organizations to strengthen the area's healthcare infrastructure.
Michigan state agencies have issued key environmental permits for Enbridge Energy’s controversial Line 5 tunnel project, ruling that its energy safety benefits outweigh its severe impacts on Native American burial grounds and local ecosystems, though the project still faces looming federal approvals and ongoing legal battles.
A Calumet-based defense contractor specializing in acoustic engineering and sound-canceling hardware for the U.S. military, has completed an $8.5 million facility expansion.
Rural communities often experience a lack of capital access due to bank mergers, or community banks leaving their areas. CDFIs step in to bridge the gap by providing crucial capital, workshops, and referrals to rural communities — funding affordable housing, high-quality education, and community development with small business growth.
Michigan Municipal League travels north to share resources for small business development.
Black Rock Crossing in Marquette, a partnership between Woda Cooper Companies and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, addresses regional housing shortages with 50 affordable units.
Local tourism officials credited the community's dedication for the win, which saw the island beat out major cities like Chicago and New York, alongside earning a top-five finish for its annual flower festival.
At over 5,200 acres, the base’s massive size made redevelopment a challenge. However, several buildings have since been successfully repurposed, and a portion of the site now thrives as the Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport.
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