UPWard Update

October 9, 2013

Mission: A collaborative effort of the private and public leaders of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and adjoining Wisconsin counties to align and promote the region's resources, expertise, and creativity in order to sustain and grow the region's economy.

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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REGISTER FOR UPEDA'S

BI-NATIONAL TWIN SAULT'S REGIONAL COLLABORATION CONFERENCE

October 30-31, 2013

LSSU Walker L. Cisler Center

650 W. Easterday Ave., SSM MI 49783

Click HERE to register

Tourism

Preserving the falls

Keweenaw Land Trust buys Upper Hungarian Falls

The Daily Mining Gazette

TAMARACK CITY - The upper portion of Hungarian Falls has been protected for permanent public access.

The Keweenaw Land Trust recently finalized the purchase of a 10-acre parcel from Torch Lake Township. It includes the top portion of the Hungarian Falls, a historic dam and woodland trails that connect to the adjoining state lands, which includes the downstream portion of the falls.

"The land trust really thanks the community for stepping up to support it and make it possible," said KLT Executive Director Evan McDonald. "We hope the community will enjoy it for many years to come."

The Torch Lake Area Fire Protection Authority had used the water behind the dam to put out fires. But last summer, Osceola Township and Tamarack City put a new system on line for their communities, reducing the demand on the Torch Lake system, said Torch Lake Township Supervisor Brian Cadwell.

McDonald credited Cadwell for his work on the acquisition, saying he had been "very helpful and supportive of our goals."

Keeping the land open for the public is a win-win, Cadwell said.

"We're very happy that the sale was able to occur with a public entity, so that the property will stay in public hand and remain open to the public," he said. "It's a beautiful area and it had served its purpose with the township for fire protection needs for many years."

Some improvements, such as a sign, informational kiosk and picnic tables could happen as soon as this fall, McDonald said. continue reading->

Education and Workforce Development

Students explore trade industries

UpperMichigansSource.com

ESCANABA -- High school students from Delta and Schoolcraft counties and from Sault Saint Marie were at the U.P. State fairgrounds Thursday, working on industrial equipment. They were exploring careers in the trades.

You probably remember playing with toy construction trucks as a kid, but students were test driving the real deal. That's right...they're driving excavating equipment.

"Going outside, driving the excavators, going up high in the power line thing. Doing a lot of things that were out of my comfort zone," said Sierra Possi, Gladstone High School.

It's all part of an annual career fair organized by the Upper Peninsula Construction Council and the Delta County Schoolcraft ISD. Workers from different trades are teaching the kids what their industry is all about through hands-on experience.

"I'll be able to learn more about construction management and actually running a business, learning more about construction," said Alex Murray, Sault Saint Marie High School.

Outside, kids put their strength into trying jack hammers and climbing up power lines. Inside, they learned how to use equipment for welding, carpentry, and laying down block.

For the industrial workers, it's a way to recruit kids into their fields.

"If we can keep them around here working locally, they are going to do better for us instead of going out to Wisconsin or wherever else and expanding our talent that grew up here in the U.P," said Lucas Bradshaw, Ironworkers Local 8.

Students were also able to explore apprenticeship opportunities some unions offer. That means they can go into that field right out of high school, and most of the training and education is paid for.

"So students can go into the working force without a mound of student debt, earn a good living wage," said Luke Siebert, Delta County Schoolcraft ISD. continue reading->

Tourism

Yon Farm welcomes children for tours, pumpkin picking

Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

Jody and David Yon's goal is to retire on the 40 acres they purchased in Dafter Township with a home and land they can farm and have others come and enjoy.

They are not quite there yet, but they had the visitors start to see them Friday. And, for the next week, they will be giving tours to school children throughout the area and allowing them to purchase a pumpkin for Halloween.

This the fourth year the Yons have done this for the children, but this year was a little more difficult because of the harsh growing season.

"We had to buy pumpkins. We bought 900," David said. "For $4 they go through a corn maze and they come out and pick up a pumpkin."

He said the farm was purchased seven years ago and the Yons have been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to plant wind breaks.

They also are trying to start an apple orchard, along with growing various crops. Another problem with growing is there is nothing but clay under the topsoil.

"We are hoping to add another barn," he said. "If that works, we will add a cider press to show the kids."

He said when the property was purchased, David had no idea what would happen.

"A guy at work told me I should plant pumpkins," he said. "I did and we invited people from work with their families to get pumpkins."

He said every year more have been planted than the year before. continue reading->

Business Growth and Development

UPWard Initiative Business Plan Competition

The 2nd Annual UPWard Initiative Business Plan Competition has been designed to encourage entrepreneurs to explore new ideas and start new businesses in the Upper Peninsula. Additionally, existing businesses with new ideas are welcome to apply.

The competition is open to all residents in the Upper Peninsula, Marinette and Florence Counties. Competition winner will receive startup seed capital, as well as mentoring services and media exposure.

This region wide contest is an opportunity to compete for cash and in-kind prizes, but it's also a chance to get constructive feedback on your business plan and to help move it from a virtual business to a reality.

Contest submissions due by November 1, 2013.

Click HERE to find out more.

Infrastructure

Gladstone to build new reservoir

Daily Press

GLADSTONE - The Gladstone City Commission approved construction of a reservoir at the Gladstone Sports Park during a special meeting held Monday morning.

The reservoir will be used to provide water for the ski hill's three snow guns. Currently the guns are powered by city water, however, because the city water must be kept at a warmer temperature for use throughout the city, the snow guns do not run at an optimal level until temperatures outside are at or below 18 degrees. Water in the reservoir will be naturally cooler than city water, causing the guns to run more efficiently.

"We want to be open and fully operational by the Christmas season," said City Manager Darla Falcon.

The city estimates that consistent snow on the ski hill by Christmas could increase the sports park's revenue by 30 percent. The total estimated cost of constructing the reservoir is $36,300 for excavation, effluent control structure and piping, engineering, planning, and a ten percent contingency.

The commission approved applying for a Hannahville 2 percent grant for $86,710 for the project. If received, the city would modify the plan to include extending piping from the reservoir under North Bluff Drive to the ball field to provide water for the field's irrigation at an estimated cost equal to the grant.

"We do have an irrigation system at the ball field, but again, it's city water," said Falcon

If the city does not receive the funding from the Hannahville Indian Community, the city will follow the $36,300 plan and will fund the project using money from the general fund. The commission considered using money from the city's electric fund - specifically interest paid to the city from its investment in the American Transmission Co. project bringing transmission lines and substations through parts of the Upper Peninsula - to fund the reservoir project. However, the commission chose not to use the ATC money for the project. continue reading->

Health Care

BAMC, Aurora negotiate

Local hospital takes first steps to form minority partnership

EagleHerald

MARINETTE - Bay Area Medical Center has begun negotiations with Aurora Health Care as a potential strategic minority partner.

The BAMC Board of Directors unanimously agreed Thursday to authorize negotiation of Letter of Intent with Aurora, who was one of nine health systems to show interest in partnering with BAMC.

"Our board began this process in mid-2012 by first determining that a minority partnership was in BAMC's best interest," said Ed Harding, BAMC president and CEO.

The board established its key requirements for a partner and identified access to capital to support expansion; access to managerial and clinical expertise; a future growth strategy; and access to an established Accountable Care Organization, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act.

The board also made it clear that BAMC was not interested in pursuing a full-asset merger or sale and that it intended to continue with a local board with local control.

"Aurora has agreed to that critical requirement," Harding said. "From the beginning, the board said it wanted a minority partner. Even though if was a challenging financial year ... we are in a strong financial position. We don't have to do this - we want to do this."

Harding said that the requirements of the Affordable Health Act made it "wise for individual hospitals to seek a strong financial organization to partner with."

Partnering with Aurora will help both entities, which already have a working relationship, to continue to provide health care locally.

"They, too, recognized we would be stronger together," Harding said.

"We were definitely interested from the beginning," said Brad Hahn, executive vice president of the north region with Aurora Health Care. "We have a strong presence in the Marinette community and a number of physicians and patients."

Hahn said Aurora has always been supportive of the local hospital, where Aurora's physicians have admitting privileges.

There are many opportunities both Aurora and BAMC can explore in partnership, he said, including electronically shared medical records. continue reading->

Infrastructure

Lac La Belle Harbor dredging to take place later this month

The Daily Mining Gazette

LAC LA BELLE - Low water levels in Lake Superior caused Michigan state officials to ask federal authorities to dredge Lac La Belle Harbor, and now the job will get done thanks to an agreement between Michigan and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

David Wright, chief of operations for the Army Corps of Engineers in the Detroit district office, said state officials have been asking the corps to dredge Lac La Belle Harbor for years.

"We knew we had a dredging need," he said.

However, Wright said there weren't federal funds do the job, so the state and federal officials worked out a solution.

"They came up with some emergency funds for dredging," he said.

Last spring, state officials committed $5.9 million for dredging seven shallow-draft recreational harbors, including Lac La Belle and Big Bay Harbor in Big Bay.

Wright said the cost for dredging both harbors is $283,449. Although the Corps is overseeing the projects, the dredging will be done by Great Lakes Dock and Materials of Muskegon.

A total of 11,000 cubic yards of sediment will be removed from Lac La Belle and Big Bay harbors, Wright said. continue reading->

Education and Workforce Development

A sunny day in Coleman

District joins the SolarWise program

EagleHerald

COLEMAN - Great things have been happening in the Coleman School District and on Tuesday morning, students, teachers and community members came together to celebrate another - the dedication of the school's recently-installed solar panels and its induction into the Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) SolarWise program.

A large 24-kilowatt solar-electric system was installed on the roof of the Coleman Elementary School in August as a part of the SolarWise for Schools program funded in part by the Wisconsin Public Service Community Foundation. The school district also received funding from Eland Electric Corp. and a grant from Focus on Energy. The school is estimated to save an average of $4,000 a year in energy costs.

"With money earmarked for special energy-saving products, such as this one, solar power became a reality here at Coleman," said Jamie Graetz, vice president of the Coleman School Board. "With this cost-saving measure, our school is now on the leading edge of energy conservation."

State Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and State Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) attended the dedication assembly along with other representatives from WPS, the SolarWise program and the Coleman School District.

Hansen pointed out that it is programs like SolarWise that shape the future for many students.

"Someday, we may look back at this day and realize it was here that scientists and engineers got their first lesson in alternative energy," he said. "It was here that the road to renewable energy began and it was here that the challenge of obtaining clean, renewable energy was met."

Mursau also shared a few words of encouragement.

"We know there are a lot of environmental things that we have to deal with in this state and in this country. Renewable energy is just one part of what we have to do to help," he said. "This can help show people how important it is to share the responsibility in creating and using renewable energy sources." continue reading->

Click HERE for more about the UPWard Initiative.