UPWard Update

December 4, 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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Natural Resources

Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Support for Eastern U.P. Schools to Buy More Local Food

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced support for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District's F.R.E.S.H. Schools Project. The F.R.E.S.H. Schools Project will start an innovative farm to school program to purchase locally grown produce to be used in school lunches.

The support comes through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm to School Program, established by the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act which Sen. Stabenow helped lead the effort to pass. "Making sure locally grown fruits and vegetables are part of school lunches keeps our children healthy and strengthens the local economy," said Stabenow. "With this support, the F.R.E.S.H. Schools Project will help combat child hunger, improve nutrition in schools and create business for local farmers. We need to continue strengthening efforts to increase access to Michigan-grown food choices to boost Michigan's agriculture economy." The Eastern Upper Peninsula School District includes seven local school districts and will receive $45,000. continue reading->

Infrastructure

Airport flying high

Enstrom Helicopter at the center of positive action

EHExtra.com

Menominee, Michigan - Good news seems to be contagious at Twin County Airport, and it is coming from many different directions at the same time.

As Enstrom Helicopter Corp. moves toward completion of its expansion project on airport property, other businesses and education partners are exploring possible future connections. Traffic is up, and so are fuel sales.

Nancy Douglas, executive director of the Menominee Economic Development Corp., told commissioners Tuesday that three entities visited the airport in early November, two of which are colleges talking about future credit programs they could provide in combination with a flight school operation.

But at the heart of all visits, which have been orchestrated through the Explorer Solutions economic development study, is Enstrom, Douglas said.

"In all of this, Enstrom is a partner," she said, "and will have a part (in what is brought to the area). I feel real positive on where things are going."

Christian Perriault, head of Explorer Solutions, "is doing a yeoman's job with this second group," Douglas said of the interested businesses and schools that are coming in to look at locating operations in the Menominee/Marinette area.

The study, which is nearing completion of the second and most-expensive second phase, has brought together interested partners in businesses, industry and the community to identify the area's strengths and resources. Then, a second group worked with Explorer Solutions to narrow the focus of what is needed and would be a good fit at the airport. continue reading->

Education and Workforce Development

Manistique school superintendent gets top marks

The Daily Press

Manistique, Michigan - Manistique Area Schools Superintendent Kathy McDonough received the highest performance rating possible for her work in the district during Monday night's school board meeting.

Teachers, administrators, and superintendents are evaluated on a four level scale established by the state. From highest to lowest the rankings are: highly effective, effective, minimally effective, and ineffective.

Following a closed session period of Monday night's meeting, the board reconvened in open session to make a motion on McDonough's performance rating for the 2012-13 school year. McDonough received a highly effective rating.

"I'm very appreciative to the board and the confidence they've placed in me and their dedication to the district ... they're a good board to work for and I will accept their recommendation for that evaluation," said McDonough.

The specifics of McDonough's contract will be discussed during the Dec. 16 regular school board meeting held in the Manistique Area School Board/Community Room at the Manistique Area Middle and High School.

Also during the meeting, both Elementary School Principal Erik Mason and Middle/High School Principal John Shiner reported on the use of the district's new classroom iPads.

Mason explained the iPads being used by third graders - which sport durable green cases - provide students with a variety of resources and apps designed to enhance classroom learning throughout the day.

The tablet computers also let students take Accelerated Reader reading assessment tests and work in a program called MobyMax to work on different skills. Currently students are using MobyMax for math. continue reading->

Health Care

Bell joins LifePoint, becomes part of national network of community hospitals

Ishpeming, Michigan - The Bell Hospital Board of Directors has finalized its agreement to be acquired by LifePoint Hospitals�. Becoming part of LifePoint will bring the Ishpeming hospital significant resources to expand its services, invest in its infrastructure and enhance the health of the communities it serves.

"The Bell Hospital team is thrilled to finalize this acquisition and become part of LifePoint," said Robert DellAngelo, M.D., Chairman of the Bell Hospital board. "We look forward to working with LifePoint to find new ways to strengthen our hospital, enhance the care we provide in our community, and improve the health and well-being of people throughout the Upper Peninsula."

As part of the final acquisition agreement, LifePoint will make $5 million in capital investments at Bell over the next decade. Investments will include an improved IT infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment and facility upgrades. Through the acquisition, the hospital also will have access to support and resources to help it recruit and retain needed physicians, enhance its clinical services to meet the changing needs of its community, and improve its operations in the evolving healthcare environment.

"We are excited to welcome Bell Hospital to LifePoint," said LifePoint Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William F. Carpenter III. "Providing quality healthcare to patients is a top priority that Bell and LifePoint share. We look forward to becoming part of the Ishpeming community and working with the management team, physicians, staff and volunteers at Bell to explore ways to help the hospital grow and prosper."

Proceeds from the acquisition transaction have eliminated Bell's debt. Approximately $4 million in excess proceeds from the transaction is expected to be available. Bell plans to use these funds to support charitable activities in the community. The acquisition also will establish Bell as a local taxpaying organization, which will bring additional revenue to Ishpeming and help support local projects.

"Bell Hospital looks forward to beginning this next chapter in the rich legacy of our hospital," said Floyd Bounds, Bell Hospital CEO. "We excited for the months ahead and for the opportunities to we will have to be a part of creating healthier communities across the U.P. with LifePoint. This is truly an exciting day for our hospital, physicians, employees and patients."

The transaction was reviewed and approved by the Attorney General of Michigan, Bill Schuette. continue reading->

Business Growth and Development

MTEC SmartZone supports GreenForces Initiative with a start-up grant

5 local technology, manufacturing companies collaborate with Michigan Tech to target the aerospace and defense industries

Houghton, Michigan - With aerospace and defense budget cuts, those industries are working harder to find solutions that keep America globally competitive and safe. As a result, the companies who service those industries also have to be more creative to deliver more for less.

MTEC SmartZone supports five local technology and manufacturing companies who are collaborating with Michigan Technological University to create a new company called GreenForces LLC. Together this partnership can provide industry solutions that are reliable, trusted, flexible and cost effective.

GreenForces delivers projects for the aerospace and defense industries, from design and prototyping to production. In addition to Michigan Tech, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) and Houghton County, GreenForces includes the following Michigan companies:

* GS Engineering, Houghton

* IR Telemetrics, Hancock

* Creative Composites, Rapid River

* L'Anse Manufacturing, L'Anse

* Calumet Electronics Corporation, Calumet

MTEC SmartZone's investment in GreenForces is driven by the potential for job creation. As GreenForces generates revenue for these companies, the companies will create jobs. continue reading->

Infrastructure

Businesses get updates, thanks to plan

The Daily Press

Escanaba, Michigan - Escanaba's Energy Optimization Plan - which the city's electric customers contribute to - recently paid for refrigeration improvements at 13 local businesses, the Escanaba City Council was informed at Wednesday's joint meeting with the Electrical Advisory Committee.

Products installed on refrigeration equipment at restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores included strip curtains, night covers and door gaskets. Cooler curtains and covers help maintain temperatures inside open-access cooler spaces.

The contracted work was done at the local businesses by Orange Energizing Solutions (OES) based in New York City.

"The funds to cover these measures and to pay the contractor are taken from and completely covered by the commercial and industrial portion of the city's Energy Optimization Plan," stated Joshua Krajniak, city electric engineer, in a memo to council.

Orange Energy Solutions was requested to visit businesses in the Escanaba area by Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corp., which oversees Escanaba's and several other municipalities' energy optimization programs.

"The purpose of the visit was to identify and install refrigeration improvements at these businesses at no cost to the owner," explained Krajniak.

Electric Superintendent Mike Furmanski clarified that local businesses and residential electric customers pay energy optimization fees on their bills as mandated. Funds collected from businesses go toward business projects, while funds collected from residents pay for residential programs, he added. continue reading->

Click HERE for more about the UPWard Initiative.