Technology and Innovation

Jean Holthaus

Technology helps bridge the gap in mental health services in the U.P. and rural Michigan

Mental health providers are looking at the potential of telehealth -- meeting with patients by videoconference on computer or phone -- to increase access to mental health services, especially in rural areas where those services are limited.

Latest in Technology and Innovation
Agritourism is flourishing at farms in the U.P and lower Michigan

Farms across rural Michigan are sprouting new activities -- corn mazes, haunted barns and more -- to attract new customers and grow their businesses.

Early on in the redevelopment phase of the new WZMQ-TV studio.
WZMQ-TV broadcasts from its new home in downtown Marquette

“[The owners] thought it was really important that we’d be the only downtown television station in Marquette. They also liked the idea of taking an old building and rehabbing it,” says Brian Trauring, executive vice president for Lilly Broadcasting.  

Mixed-use libraries are becoming co-working spaces

Libraries that serve both schools and the public are becoming popular co-working spaces across rural Michigan.

A recent class enrolled at the Great Lakes Boat Building School.
Great Lakes Boat Building School to expand Cedarville campus, groundbreaking planned

"With our students, we've had 100 percent job placement over the last six years,” says Thomas Coates, director of development for GLBBS.

David Ollila
Marquette entrepreneur sees growth potential for outdoor recreation economy in the Upper Peninsula

David Ollila, who holds at least 16 patents, is the force behind a new development in Marquette that he hopes will bolster the outdoor recreation sector in the Upper Peninsula and connect it to Michigan’s mobility engine.  

Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
Michigan Tech celebrates opening of Nucor Metrology Center on Houghton campus

“We want to see our students use their hands for physical engineering, and that happens in measurement,” says Rachel Store, Michigan Tech research engineer and head of the Nucor Metrology Center. “The students will take data to document their product performance, all while better understanding their product quality through metrics.”

Issue Media Group relaunches Upper Peninsula publication

Issue Media Group is excited to announce the relaunch of its online, community-informed, digital publication in the Upper Peninsula. UPword will focus on innovation, talent, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and community development, while featuring U.P.-based talent.

Help Home Personal ID* Program GPS ID bracelets.
Many happy returns: GPS ID bracelets help Michiganders living with dementia find their way home

A new collaboration in Calhoun County has helped 135 missing people with dementia return safely home – and made life easier for their caregivers, local law enforcement, and health care providers.

View of the Sturgeon River Gorge from the top of Silver Mountain.
Almost heaven: Silver Mountain

The Nature Conservancy in Michigan transfers the last parcel on Silver Mountain to the U.S. Forest Service, ensuring preservation of an usual tract and adding to the recreational opportunities in the Upper Peninsula. 

Our Partners

Enbridge logo

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Upper Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.