Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to encourage economic growth through strengthening the county’s competitive position and facilitating investments that build capacity, create jobs, generate economic opportunity, and improve quality of life.
Exciting progress is being made to improve the quality of life in the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Northern Ontario. The CCEDC works with development partners to maintain and grow existing companies and facilitate new ideas for businesses of every kind. Our corporation has properties available for leasing, and support facilities that are available to help establish and support local businesses. Ease of access to a modern commercial airport, rail connection, and the close proximity of Interstate 75 help make our Air, Space, and Industrial Park a great location to start or grow a business.
The Chippewa County International Airport is Michigan’s only commercial service airport in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Now offering 14 non-stop jet flights a week to Detroit and Minneapolis.
The CCEDC is excited to announce that the Chippewa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has been reenergized and will soon have guidance for the public on how they can utilize Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The BRA will collaborate closely with the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners and county staff to implement the Authority’s goals, and to establish and maintain good working relationships with all local, state, federal, and international organizations involved in the pursuit of economic development, housing, and brownfield planning and development.
The Eastern UP (located within Region 1) was awarded grant funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which will be administered through the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation. These funds, which are provided by the Michigan Strategic Fund, will provide economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and small businesses with the support they need to keep growing and expanding in their local communities.
Resources available from Headwaters North will include one-on-one coaching, cohort-based learning and accelerators, mentor matchmaking, pitch competitions, networking events, access to capital, partner referrals, and statewide resource navigation.
More than $400,000 will be available in direct grants to those businesses who work wit their local Hub to identify needs. Grant awards to eligible small businesses are a maximum of $5,000 (expense per unit cost cannot exceed $4,999) and include capital investments (such as machinery, equipment or software) and highly specialized consulting services/training and certification.
Grant approvals will be made by February 1, 2026 and administered by the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation.
By partnering with Headwaters North, Bay Mills Indian Community, Luce County Economic Development Corporation, and Sault Tribe Thrive, we anticipate providing maximum reach to small businesses and are excited to share our resources and learn how to better service our region.
For more information about the Small Business Support Hub Program, visit Headwaters North (headwatersnorth.org).
Meetings are generally held at the Chippewa County EDC General Aviation Building, Board Room 2nd floor, located at 5019 W Airport Dr, Kincheloe, MI unless otherwise noted. The following meetings are available for public attendance.
Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Regular Board Meeting
Meets on the First Tuesday of the Month at 3 p.m.
Executive Committee Meeting
Meets on the Second Thursday of the Month at 3 p.m.
Financing Committee Meeting
Meets on the Third Tuesday of the Month at 9 a.m.
Airport Committee Meeting
Meets on the Third Wednesday of the Month at 9 a.m.
The Chippewa County EDC is overseen by a Board of Directors, made up of business people and private individuals, where decisions regarding the operation and direction of the EDC are made.
Directors are appointed by the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners. Any person interested can download the Application of Interest at:
http://www.chippewacountymi.gov/boards-committees
or pick up an application form at the County Administrator’s Office, 319 Court Street, Sault Ste Marie, MI or call (906) 635-6330.
The Soo Locks, the International Bridge, Chippewa County Intl. Airport, and the close proximity of I-75 are just a few of the facilities available to help establish and support local businesses.
Chippewa County International Airport is Michigan’s only commercial service airport in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Now offering 14 non-stop jet flights a week to Detroit and Minneapolis.
The second-largest county in Michigan, Chippewa County holds claim to 169 inland lakes and 800 miles of streams. Three of the state’s largest islands are within the county.
