The UPWARD Business Plan Competition is to encourage entrepreneurs to explore new ideas, and create and begin new businesses The competition is open to all residents in the Upper Peninsula, Marinette and Florence Counties. Competition winners 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. Why Enter? • Judges, mentors and other resources will help you gain… Read More »

ESCANABA, Mich. — The Upper Peninsula 911 Authority (UPA 911) and Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (PFN) announce that all emergency call centers in the Upper Peninsula now support emergency text messages from wireless devices to 9—1—1. Beginning Monday September 21, 2015 individuals anywhere in the Upper Peninsula can send a text message to 9-1-1 in an emergency.   “We are pleased that we are able to launch this service in all 15 counties in the Upper Peninsula at once,” said Tim McKee, Director of Chippewa County Central Dispatch. “Calling and speaking with a dispatcher is still the best way of… Read More »

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters today announced that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will receive $2,124,028 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help continue the cleanup of contaminated sediment from industrial waste in the Manistique River. This support will help MDEQ develop and implement measures to remediate poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination in the watershed. “Our lakes and waterways are part of who we are and our way of life,” said Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force. “This investment will help clean up pollution and conserve beautiful natural resources… Read More »

SAULT STE. MARIE — President Barack Obama recently announced the selection of seven nominees for key administration posts. The chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors, Aaron Payment, is among them. “I am confident that these experienced and hardworking individuals will help us tackle the important challenges facing America, and I am grateful for their service,” said Obama in an Aug. 26 announcement. “I look forward to working with them.” Payment is appointed to membership on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the council consists of… Read More »

MICHIGAN – CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announced today that it will bring high-speed Internet services to more than 25,000 rural households and businesses in Michigan by accepting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Connect America Fund (CAF) statewide offer in Michigan. CenturyLink is accepting 33 CAF phase II statewide offers from the FCC to bring Internet service with speeds of at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload to approximately 1.2 million locations in FCC-designated, high-cost census blocks. The company is accepting a total of approximately $500 million a year for six years. High-speed Internet access brings many benefits to… Read More »

Fast Facts: – More than 40,000 walkers are expected to participate in this year’s Labor Day bridge walk. – Gov. Rick Snyder will lead the walk beginning at 7 a.m. – Again this year, all bags, purses and backpacks will be checked before walkers are allowed to proceed.  August 27, 2015 – While it’s too soon to know what the weather will be like, it’s not too early to start planning your trip for the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk, which is a little more than a week away. Gov. Rick Snyder will lead the expected 40,000 walkers across… Read More »

The 4th Annual UPWard Initiative Business Plan Competition has been designed to encourage entrepreneurs to explore new ideas and start new businesses in the Upper Peninsula. The competition is open to all residents in the Upper Peninsula, Marinette and Florence Counties. Competition winner will receive cash prize, as well as mentoring services and media exposure. New and existing businesses are encouraged to participate. 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… Read More »

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON) After a thorough recruitment process, Sault Ste. Marie City Council has approved the appointment of Mr. Al Horsman to the position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Mr. Horsman comes to Sault Ste. Marie from the City of Guelph, where he held the position of Deputy CAO. “Mr. Horsman was selected for his broad and extensive municipal administrative experience, his track record of managing complex projects and his commitment to providing quality public services,” says Mayor Christian Provenzano, who chaired the CAO Selection Committee. “We look forward to him joining our team at the City of Sault… Read More »

August 17, 2015 — A project on the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula is shining a spotlight on cost-saving innovations for Michigan highways. In a $175,000 Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) project, energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting was installed at the US-2/I-75 interchange and at the St. Ignace Welcome Center just north of the Mackinac Bridge. Work began last October, and following a winter break finished up this June. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, the project was recognized with a $17,757.30 rebate check from Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s Energy Optimization program. The rebate program gives incentives to Michigan businesses and homeowners… Read More »

The Department of Natural Resources today announced the totals from its annual walleye rearing pond harvest and stocking of walleye fingerlings. The DNR’s Fisheries Division and tribal partners stocked nearly 4.7 million walleye fingerlings in more than 110 water bodies located throughout Michigan this spring and summer. Walleye ponds are a critical component of the DNR’s coolwater fisheries management and have been used extensively since the mid-1970s. More than 30 walleye ponds located throughout Michigan were used this year, and most rely heavily on the support of local sportsmen’s organizations.  These groups assist with the ponds’ finances and supply volunteers to help… Read More »