| Greetings!
Please take a moment to review these updates from the UPWard Initiative.
Thanks to the many UPWard members along with others that have provided content for these updates. If you have information you would like to share with the group, please email it to me. Holly Peoples
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Higher Education
Michigan Tech Research Institute Receives Radar Defense Contract
The Michigan Tech Research Institute in Ann Arbor, Mich., has signed a six-month, $1 million contract with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to conduct research in adaptive radar countermeasures. The contract could be extended to five years and be worth $9 million if all options are exercised.
MTRI will be developing a new approach to the challenging problem of separating and analyzing radar signals by the function they are intended to perform. Radar-originally an acronym for Radio Detection And Ranging-is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the range, direction and speed of objects.
MTRI's expertise in radar, signal processing and the radio frequency spectrum makes it ideally suited for this kind of effort.
"This work helps position Michigan Tech and MTRI in the quickly evolving world of radio frequency spectrum usage," said Nikola Subotic, co-director of MTRI and a principal investigator on the new project.
"In the old days, radars had their allocated spectra (the radio frequencies they use), communications had theirs, and so on," Subotic went on to say. "The cell phone industry has had to deal with the problem of multiple users within their allocated spectra. However, all cell phones' function is the same: cooperative data passing and communications."
MTRI is looking at a much more complicated challenge: the simultaneous coexistence of a variety of uses of the same spectrum "In the future, all of these spectra will be mixed together, so it will not be clear which function is intended or if in fact there are multiple functions, such as sensing, communications, navigation and control," Subotic explained.
"That's why technologies must be developed that can isolate and understand the intent of signals that mutually coexist."
MTRI is no stranger to defense and homeland security research. The institute is involved in a number of national security projects whose goal is research, development and practical application of sensors and information technology to help solve critical national security issues. MTRI is a recognized leader in the use of portable radar and ground penetrating radar systems. more->
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Natural Resources
Summer fishing in full swing
The Daily News
IRON MOUNTAIN - With the first full week of summer concluded, fishing continues to improve.
John Grier at Whispering Pines Outpost in Breitung Township said he's heard plenty of good reports.
"You can always find someone to complain but I'm going through a lot of bait and people are happy," Grier said. "A lot of guys come in telling me they've been doing very well on bluegill and crappie."
Grier also said he has had some reports of good bass fishing this week.
At Midtown Bait and Tackle in Channing, Bob Kennard said things were going good, even with some heavy rain.
Kennard said Eddie Lake is good for crappie fishing, and Witch Lake and Squaw Lake in Marquette County are both hot, too.
At Witch Lake, Kennard said walleye are biting good. He had a customer in Wednesday who caught his limit.
At the Sport Shop in Iron River, Don Ciochetto said anglers are catching trout using nightcrawlers as the fly hatch continues to lag.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said heavy rains across much of the state in the last week have almost all major river systems and some lakes at very high levels.
Although this has disrupted fishing on many southern lakes and rivers, some very good panfish and musky action was reported in the north.
The bluegill spawn is in full swing, with bluegills sitting on their beds on many lakes.
Musky success has been very good at times in the last week, with some anglers reporting multiple catches in a three- to four-hour trip.
The mayfly hatch has begun on many lakes and this will disrupt the regular walleye bite for the next few weeks.
Bass action has been good, with some very nice catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Both largemouth and smallmouth are in their final stages of spawning on many lakes and look for action on larger fish to pick up in the next week or two.
The Michigan DNR reported the following fishing conditions across the Upper Peninsula:
Keweenaw Bay: Catch rates for salmon were fair for those trolling 25 to 100 feet down in 150 to 240 feet of water between Sand Point and Carla's. Try spoons and flies. From the South Portage Entry, lake trout were caught by those jigging near Farmers Reef, Newton's Reef and Big Reef. Chinook, lake trout and coho were caught when trolling south towards the Red Rocks and the Roadside Park. Try 30 to 45 feet down in 40 to 50 feet of water. Anglers did well for lake trout near Hermits Cove, the Gay Stacks, Big Louie's Point and along Five and Six Mile Reefs. When trolling, target 130 to 160 feet or 130 to 220 feet when jigging cut bait. more->
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Business Growth and Development
Escanaba says yes to Bell's Brewery
The Daily Press
ESCANABA - Escanaba welcomed a new business to the city not only with words but through action Thursday. Just prior to unanimously approving a property sale to Bell's Brewery, council reduced the price tag by $5,000.
Larry Bell, owner of the craft beer manufacturing company, had intended to pay $35,000 for a 3.16-acre parcel in the Whitetail Industrial Park but was pleased with the last-minute price reduction when council acted on the sale during Thursday's special meeting.
"Things like that don't happen in the business world," commented Bell. "Talk about the welcome carpet! That was very kind."
Council member Ron Beauchamp made the motion to lower the selling price of the city land from $35,000 to $30,000.
"I'd like to see the property price reduced," Beauchamp said. "I'd like to see this be even more business-friendly."
Council unanimously approved the deal.
Escanaba City Manager Jim O'Toole commented after the meeting, "By council lowering the purchase price, that sends a message that the city of Escanaba is in business to do business. It demonstrates Escanaba's willingness to work with manufacturers to locate here."
Construction of the 10,000-square-foot plant and equipment is estimated to cost $2.5 million, said Bell.
The company has been brewing and bottling specialty beers at it's downstate plant in the Kalamazoo area since 1985. Several bars, restaurants, and stores in the Upper Peninsula sell Bell's ales on draft or in bottles.
Bell said, after looking at other locations in the region, he choose to expand the business to Escanaba which he describes as "a good community player." more->
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Talent Supply and Demand
The Upper Great Lakes Talent Summit
September 20, 2013 - Harris, Michigan
This year's Summit will further explore and develop the regional collaboration needed to create connections that will result in continued economic growth.
The event continues on a local level the work that began at Governor Snyder's statewide economic development and education summits in March and April.
The Summit will provide an opportunity to weigh in on the areas of focus resulting from discussions at, and following Governor Snyder's summits.
Key Topics Include:
- Future Talent Demands
- Talent Acquisition Challenges
- Connecting Employers to the Talent Development and Education Communities
Join this year's event and provide input for our region's
Talent and Economic Development solutions.
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Business Growth and Development
MTEC SmartZone welcomes two new tenants to Jutila Center
Early Spring Productions and LeClaire Surveying Services LLC create 5 new jobs in Hancock
Two start-up ventures hit the ground running this month with support from MTEC SmartZone. Early Spring Productions, LLC and LeClaire Surveying Services, LLC are the newest tenants of Jutila Center business incubator, and combined, they've created five new jobs in Hancock.
Both companies opened offices in Jutila Center after successfully completing MTEC SmartZone's SmartStart program, which is required to become an incubator tenant. SmartStart provides mentoring and coaching assistance to entrepreneurs with a business idea or product.
Early Spring Productions creates full-length feature films and professional videos. Company founder, Rick Allen, who made a name for himself locally in radio and television news, currently employs three students who work part-time. Projects in the works include community videos for the cities of Houghton and Hancock and a FinnFest USA 2013 commemorative DVD.
"We've established a partnership with Michigan Technological University and Finlandia University to utilize student talent in the Visual and Performing Arts department and the International School of Art and Design. I provide training and real-world experience for students and recent graduates," Allen said. "We're unconventional in that we're not a high-tech company, but we're using high-tech equipment that requires sound engineers, lighting technicians, stage designers and graphic artists."
LeClaire Surveying specializes in a non-traditional surveying technique that's more efficient, less labor-intensive and more cost-effective to perform. Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) uses special software to process two-dimensional digital images to produce three-dimensional models of subjects such as buildings, bridges, landscapes, machine parts, accident scenes, people and animals.
Company founder Steve LeClaire, who has nearly 20 years of land surveying experience, realized a local and regional demand for CRP services to aid architects, engineers, contractors, law enforcement and historical preservationists.
"CRP is something I've been considering for over 10 years and this is a great opportunity to make it happen," LeClaire said. "With the support of MTEC SmartZone and everyone in the community, CRP is going to become something that's successful and in demand." more->
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Health Care
Health clinic named for Manistique native
Daily Press
MANISTIQUE - Despite the rain, it was standing room only at the dedication of Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital's Alan W. Ott Rural Health Clinic, Friday. The ceremony brought Ott together with local and state officials, SMH staff, friends and family.
The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation of Midland, Mich., contributed $500,000 towards the hospitals capital campaign, and in exchange the foundation was given a naming opportunity for the new rural health clinic. The Foundation Board chose to name the facility after Manistique native Alan W. Ott, a career banker.
"In addition to the monetary gift, I believe the Gerstacker Foundation has provided us with something even more valuable, an opportunity to have Alan Ott back in Manistique, and we graciously accept both gifts," said Don Perigo, SMH Board of Trustees chair and chairman of the hospital's capital campaign.
Ott was born in Manistique in 1931, and was a high school student when ground was broken on the former Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital building. He had already begun his banking career by the time he graduated from high school in 1950.
While still in school, Ott became a part-time bookkeeper at the First National Bank of Manistique. After serving in the Korean War, Ott returned to banking, eventually becoming the president and chief executive officer of Chemical Bank in Midland in 1972.
"He's a tough, hard-nosed banker with a heart that is gentle and kind," said state Attorney General and Vice President of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation Bill Schutte. more->
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Natural Resources
From Senator Carl Levin's newsroom:
Great Lakes Restoration Bill Aims to Protect a Precious Resource 06-28-2013 We in Michigan know that the Great Lakes are a magnificent resource and unique in all the world. These water bodies, formed during the last ten thousand years, are the largest source of surface freshwater on the planet. The lakes shaped how people settled and secured resources for their survival. Native Americans, French explorers, early European settlers, immigrants flocking to new industrial cities all relied on the lakes for survival, just as millions do today. They provide us food and drinking water, transportation, power, recreation, and magnificent beauty. However, the vast resources of the Great Lakes should not be taken for granted.
We must do all we can to protect these waters and clean up the areas that have been harmed by toxic contaminants, polluted runoff, untreated wastewater and destructive invasive species. That is why as co-chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois and I, along with several of our colleagues, have introduced the Great Lakes Ecological and Economic Protection Act of 2013, or GLEEPA. This bill builds upon the work of environmental organizations, business groups, tribal governments, community leaders and federal, state and local elected officials who worked together to craft the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy, a 2005 plan to guide restoration and protection for the Great Lakes. more->
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Business Growth and Development
Oldenburg awarded $40 million in contracts
Equipment ordered for new U.S. Navy ships
The Daily News
KINGSFORD - Oldenburg Group Inc. has been awarded more than $40 million in new defense contracts to provide equipment for U.S. Navy ships.
The equipment manufactured by Oldenburg for these orders includes mooring devices, aircraft elevator systems, boat handling equipment, cargo elevators, cranes and bulkhead closure systems.
These new orders add to Oldenburg Group's existing major contracts for the Navy's Destroyer, Amphibious, Littoral Combat and Aircraft Carrier classes. Oldenburg manufactures equipment for all of the Navy's major supply and combatant ship building programs.
In the Navy's 2014 proposed budget, there is a provision for 31 new surface ships to be constructed over the next five years. Oldenburg Group is the incumbent supplier of a variety of major equipment on every one of those ships.
An example of some of the products just ordered is the stern ramp, which is a bi-folding ramp that extends to about 75 feet long and 17 feet wide. It is designed to be folded as part of the stern of the ship when underway.
When the ship is stationary, the ramp deploys to allow military vehicles, from small trucks to large combat tanks, to embark and disembark on the Joint High Speed Vessel. The ramp has the unique capability to turn 45 degrees so it can work alongside a pier or with a platform directly behind the ship.
The Joint High Speed Vessel is a high speed catamaran whose mission is to quickly carry cargo, personnel, and vehicles long distances.
Oldenburg Group designed and built the first stern ramp and received follow-on orders. With the latest award, it now has a total of 10 shipsets under contract. more->
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