Site Selection
L'Anse
Available Lot Sizes: | 1, 1.5, 3, & 4.5 Acres |
Municipal Water: | 10” |
Municipal Sewer: | 8” |
Electric Power: | L’Anse Municipal Electric |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | US-41 |
Rail Access: | Canadian National |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (51 min.) & Sawyer International (1.5 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Unknown |
Special Features:
Park is currently under development with completion in 2018. Municipal water and sewer capacity has all been previously upgraded. L’Anse maintains a municipal electric utility with costs below UPPCO.
Baraga
Available Lot Sizes: | 1+ Acres; 306 Acres shown |
Municipal Water: | Yes |
Municipal Sewer: | Yes |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | M-38 to US-41 |
Rail Access: | Siding Nearby in Village of Baraga |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (51 min.) & Sawyer International (1.5 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Sites are Tax Exempt |
Price: | For Lease with Build-to-Suit to Lease Options |
Special Features:
Park is owned by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Sites can be leased long term with build-to-suit to lease options. Because the land is tribal owned it is exempt from all state and local taxes. There are no tribally levied fees other than standard utility fees. Soil conditions are primarily loamy sands. Park includes additional 160 acres to north.
Houghton
Available Lot Sizes: | Parcel A-6.8 A; Parcel B-2.6 A |
Municipal Water: | Yes |
Municipal Sewer: | Tentative |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | M-26 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (15 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Parcel A-$595,000 ($87,500/A) Parcel B-$227,000 ($87,300/A) |
Special Features:
Sites are zoned appropriately for light industrial and commercial use. Sewer is being planned for 2018.
Available Lot Sizes: | 8.75 A |
Municipal Water: | On north side of Hwy |
Municipal Sewer: | Tentative |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | M-26 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (15 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | $220,000 ($25,000/A) |
Special Features:
Site is zoned appropriately for light industrial and commercial use. Sewer is being planned for 2018.
Available Lot Sizes: | West 5 Acres of 10 A Site |
Municipal Water: | On north side of Hwy |
Municipal Sewer: | Tentative |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | M-26 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (15 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | $225,000 ($45,000/A) |
Special Features:
Site is zoned appropriately for light industrial and commercial use. Sewer is being planned for 2018.
Chassell
Address: | 41455 Sturgeon River, Chassell, MI 49916 |
Available Lot Sizes: | 3.29 Acres |
Municipal Water: | Yes |
Municipal Sewer: | Available |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | US-41 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (24 mins.) & Sawyer International (2 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | $99,500 |
Special Features:
Site is zoned industrial. Site contains a 3,600 s.f. building that was originally used as a foundry, later a warehouse, and finally was used as a paint shop. MLS#1101578
Hancock
Available Lot Sizes: | 38 Acres |
Municipal Water: | Available |
Municipal Sewer: | Available |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | US 41 via Class A roadway |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (15 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Negotiable |
Special Features:
Sites are zoned appropriately for industrial and commercial use. Site is approximately 2,543’ x 654’. Site is relatively flat with sandy, gravely soils. Municipal water and sewer are 300’ from the site; natural gas and electric are 900’.
Available Lot Sizes: | Appx. 7 Acres |
Municipal Water: | On West side of US 41 |
Municipal Sewer: | Nearby |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | US 41 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (5 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | $75,000 ($10,700/A) |
Special Features:
Site is located two miles north of Hancock on US 41 at the Mesnard Location Road. Site has no zoning. All uses allowed.
Houghton County Airpark
Available Lot Sizes: | 4+ Acres |
Municipal Water: | Yes |
Municipal Sewer: | Yes |
Electric Power: | Ontonagon REA |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | US-41 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (Adjacent) & Sawyer International (2.5 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Yes. 198 Abatement Available |
Price: |
Special Features:
Park is owned by Houghton County and is adjacent to the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) which is served by SkyWest United to Chicago twice a day, seven days per week. Park is home to the Michigan Technological University Keweenaw Research Center.
Sidnaw
Address: | 12571 Crystal Lake, Sidnaw, MI 49961 |
Available Lot Sizes: | 35 Acres |
Municipal Water: | No |
Municipal Sewer: | No |
Electric Power: | Upper Michigan Energy Res. Corp. |
Natural Gas: | No |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone |
Communications Highway Access: | M-28 |
Rail Access: | 1,500’ east of facility (E&LS) |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (1.25 hrs.) & Sawyer International (1.5 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Negotiable |
Mohawk
Address: | M-26 & Ahmeek Street |
Available Lot Sizes: | 18 Acres |
Municipal Water: | No |
Municipal Sewer: | Nearby |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | n/a |
Telecommunications: | n/a |
Broadband: | Pasty.net |
Communications Highway Access: | M-26 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (0 min.) & Sawyer International (2.5 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Negotiable |
Special Features:
Building contains 16,000 s.f. composed of 11,200 s.f. (160’x70’) clearspan at 16’ eave height with 15’x18’ OH door and floor level loading dock, 3,000 s.f. (50’x60’) clearspan at 19’ eave height, with standard OH door, and an 1,800 s.f. (30’x60’) office. Site contains a large dust collection system and the former dry kiln building. Facility operated until 2006.
Special Features:
Site is the former Kingston Mine which operated from 1965 to 1968. Buildings consist two 40’x140’ buildings con-nected in an “L” shape and a 50’x72’ building with a 32’x48’ addition. Sidewall heights are all 20’. Heavy power and municipal water are on the site.
Calumet
Available Lot Sizes: | .75 A—8.6 A |
Municipal Water: | Yes |
Municipal Sewer: | Cluster System |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | US-41 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (15 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Negotiable |
Special Features:
Sites are zoned appropriately for light industrial and commercial use.
Available Lot Sizes: | 1 Acre |
Municipal Water: | Yes |
Municipal Sewer: | Yes |
Electric Power: | UPPCO |
Natural Gas: | SEMCO |
Telecommunications: | Verizon, AT&T |
Broadband: | Baraga Telephone, Spectrum |
Communications Highway Access: | M-203 to US 41 |
Rail Access: | No |
Commercial Air Service: | Houghton County Memorial (15 mins.) & Sawyer International (2.25 hrs.) |
Industrial Development District: | Unknown |
Price: | Negotiable |
Special Features:
Sites are zoned appropriately for industrial and commercial use.
Workforce & Wages
For the most up to date labor market information go to the Michigan Labor Market Information data site. The data search tool will generate downloadable Department of Labor Data on labor force, employment, unemployment, employment and wages by industry sector (up to three digit NAICS) by county or region as well as wage survey data by occupation by region.
Training/Education
Michigan Works! for Business
Employers across Michigan turn to the Michigan Works! System to identify skilled candidates who are
prepared and ready to succeed. Michigan Works! Agencies and Service Centers offer a variety of
services, such as online job advertisement, training support, talent recruitment and resume sorting, to
ensure that the labor force meets the needs of employers.
This assistance is provided in the Keweenaw through the UPWARD Talent Council with offices in the
Village of L’Anse (Baraga County) and the City of Hancock (Houghton and Keweenaw Counties). Call 906-
482-6916 for more information or visit their web site at http://www.upmichiganworks.org/employer-
services. Assistance with the following area can secured through the UPWARD Talent Council’s Michigan
Works! offices:
- Fidelity Bonding Program
- Foreign Labor Certification Office
- Job / Career Fairs
- Post Jobs / Search Resumes on Pure Michigan Talent Connect
- Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF)
- Veterans Services
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Going PRO Talent Fund
The newly named “Going PRO Talent Fund” (formerly known as the Skilled Trades Training Fund) makes awards to employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.
Since the program’s inception, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium has helped secure over $1.1 million in funding for 40 different employers in its 8-county region, which allowed for over 1,000 workers to receive training.
This year’s application period for Talent Fund grants is expected to begin in mid-September. Prior to the start of the application period, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium will be holding Employer Information Sessions to help businesses learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund. Companies will also learn how to create a solid, competitive Going PRO application proposal, as well as learn more about the services and assistance available through Michigan Works! For more information about the Talent Fund review the Program Overview, and Frequently Asked Questions.
Contact Savannah Dougherty at 906-280-0216 or by email at sdougherty@isupward.org for more information.
Copper Country Intermediate School District Career and Technical Education
The Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD), serving Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw
Counties, is leading our area to build an employer driven career and technical education (CTE) delivery
system. Working with area employers, K-12 school districts, and our universities and community colleges
the CCISD has secured the overwhelming support of the district voters to fund a more comprehensive
training program that will expand from automotive and health career training to construction and
industrial training using existing facilities, but increasing the breadth and depth of the training capacity.
CTE Videos
Auto Tech: https://youtu.be/1ZR6p1mk0ZM
Health Careers: https://youtu.be/zEUHfuq7_yU
CNA: https://youtu.be/UChLUE7kx9I
Construction Trades: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOWr0ZMD-os
MIOSHA Safety Training
KEDA hosts MIOSHA general industry and construction industry training courses annually in partnership
with the MIOSHA Training Institute and Macomb Community College.
Transportation System
- Highways - The Keweenaw is served by two state highways- US 41 from the east and M-26 from the west.
- Commercial Air Service - The Keweenaw has commercial air service to Chicago O'Hare airport with two daily flights on SkyWest United from the Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX)
- Waterway - Houghton and Hancock have commercial docking along the Portage Waterway for deep water ships. The Potage Waterway connects to Lake Superior to the north and south.
- Rail - The Keweenaw is served by a branch line of the Canadian National Railway (CN) to L'Anse and Baraga and at the southern end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, as well as Escanaba and Lake Superior (E&LS) with track and sidings in the southern Houghton County.
Utility Services
Broadband / Telecommunications
The Keweenaw is served by redundant fiber backbone (Peninsula Fiber Network, Charter, and Verizon). A variety of wired and wireless broadband providers are available. Cellular service is provided by AT&T and Verizon. The Keweenaw is like most of the world. Because of the dispersed nature of the population and geography, we don't have 100% call coverage. However, all of our urban areas are covered and is steadily improving throughout the balance of the Keweenaw.
Providers:
- Baraga Telephone
204 State Street
Baraga, MI 49908(906) 353-6644
https://www.up.net/
- Shorewaves
47420 State Highway M26
Houghton MI, 49931
(906) 523-9370
http://www.shorewaves.net/
- Charter Communications
1603 Enterprise Dr.
Houghton, MI 49931(888) 438-2427
https://spectrum.com/
- Pasty.net
58542 Wolverine Street
Calumet, MI 49913
(906) 337-5979
http://www.pasty.net/
Natural Gas
Natural gas is provided by SEMCO energy from a major pipline that transits the UP. All urban areas have natural gas available.
Contact
Michelle Levine, Key Accounts
141 3rd Street
Port Huron, MI 48060
810-887-3014
Rate Book: Link
Power
Electricity is provided in all of the urban areas by UPPCO. The out country areas are served by the Ontonagon County Rural Electric Association, an electric power cooperative.
UPPCO Contact:
Dan Crane
18494 Canal Road
Houghton, MI 49931
906-483-4556 or 906-483-4507
Rate Book: Link
OCREA Contact:
500 J.K. Paul Street
PO BOX 97
Ontonagon, MI 49953
ontrea@chartermi.net
906-884-4151
Rate Book: Link
Water and Sewer
A legacy of the copper mining era in the Keweenaw is that regional water and sewer systems were constructed and have been expanded upon. This means that we have fairly widespread availability of municipal water and sewer services.
- Village of L'Anse
http://villageoflanse.org/utilities
- Village of Baraga
Sewer & Water: Gerard Lindemann or Dave Apgervobwater@up.net
906-353-6795 (water)
906-353-6237 (sewer)
- City of Houghton
Fee schedule attached, 906-482-1700
- Portage Township
906-482-4310
- City of Hancock
Utility Rates http://cityofhancock.com/info-utilities.php
- Calumet, Laurium & Calumet Charter Township
Michigan American Water
311 5th Street
Calumet, MI 49913
906 337-3502
- North Houghton Sewer Authority
25880 Red Jacket Rd
Calumet, MI 49913
906 337-0591
- Houghton County Airpark
Service is provided by Michigan-American Water and Torch Lake Sewer Authority through the Houghton County Airport.
Contact Dennis Hext, Manager, 906-482-3970 or email at dhext@cmxairport.com
- Adams Township Department of Public Works
South Range
906-482-4420
adamstwp@adamstwp.us
Incentives
Tax Abatements (Industrial Facilities Exemption, P.A. 198 of 1974, as amended)
The Plant Rehabilitation and Industrial Development Districts Act, (known as the Industrial Facilities Exemption) PA 98 of 1974, as amended, provides a tax incentive to manufacturers to enable renovation and expansion of aging facilities, assist in the building of new facilities and to promote the establishment of high tech facilities. An Industrial Development District (IDD) or a Plant Rehabilitation District (PRD) must be created prior to initiating a project so it is essential that you consult your local assessor before commencing a project. An Industrial Facilities Exemption (IFE) certificate entitles the facility to a 50% exemption from ad valorem real and/or personal property taxes for a term of 1-12 years as determined by the local unit of government.
Applications are filed, reviewed and approved by the local unit of government, but are also subject to review at the State level by the Property Services Division and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The State Tax Commission (STC) is ultimately responsible for final approval and issuance of certificates. Exemptions are not effective until approved by the STC.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), administers the economic and community development portions of he CDBG program. CDBG is a federal grant program utilizing funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Funding can be used for direct assistance to business and infrastructure to support business expansion or location. Direct assistance to private and for-profit businesses includes support for machinery and equipment purchase, job training, and rail enhancement.
Communities may request grants to provide public infrastructure improvements necessary for the location, expansion, and/or retention of a specific, for-profit business firm(s) which is engaged in an economic base activity (e.g., manufacturing, point of destination tourism, headquarter operations, major multi-state distribution facility). This program is restricted to infrastructure improvements tied to development activities that require additional infrastructure improvements tied to development activities that require additional infrastructure to create new economic opportunities and will result in the creation of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, of which at least 51 percent of the created positions will be held by persons living in a Low to Moderate Income household.
Private Activity Bonds
Private activity bonds are an attractive source of financial assistance to economic development projects in Michigan. They provide profitable firms with capital cost savings stemming from the difference between taxable and tax-exempt interest rates. The Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) issues private activity bonds on behalf of the borrower and lends the bond proceeds to the borrower.
For manufacturing projects, 95 of the bond proceeds must be used to acquire land, building and equipment directly related to the manufacturing process. Warehouse space and other ‘non-core’ items are ineligible unless they are directly related to the manufacturing process, and then are limited to 25 of the project. At least 70 of bond proceeds must be spent on ‘core manufacturing’ costs. If you acquire existing facilities, a minimum of 15 of the bond proceeds must be used to renovate the facility. Used equipment is generally ineligible. Loans for such purposes as working capital or inventory are not permitted.
The maximum size of bonds is limited to:
- $1 million free of any restrictions on capital expenditures; or,
- $10 million subject to the condition that the company’s total capital expenditures in the locality over the period of three years before and three years after the date of issuance do not exceed $20 million.
Michigan Business Development Program
The Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) is an incentive program available from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), in cooperation with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The program is designed to provide grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that create jobs and/or provide investment. The MBDP is available to eligible businesses that create qualified new jobs and/or make qualified new investment in Michigan. The qualified new jobs must be held by Michigan residents of the Applicant company and be in addition to those maintained in Michigan prior to the project. Eligible investment includes investment made by the business in Michigan in support of the project and approved by the MSF. Preference may be given to businesses in need of additional assistance for deal closing and second stage company gap financing. Any business seeking to qualify for MSF support on the basis of job creation must create a minimum of 50 qualified new jobs. Unless a project is in a rural county (a county with a population of 90,000 or less) or qualifies as a high-technology activity, in which case the business must create a minimum of 25 qualified new jobs. High-technology activities are defined in the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Act, Public Act 24 of 1995. Additionally, the MSF may provide support for certain strategic business development growth opportunities that create fewer jobs than the requirements mentioned above.
MSF support in the form of a grant will be performance based, with preference given to eligible businesses seeking to locate or expand in Michigan rather than in another state. Grants will include flexible terms and conditions, and will include repayment provisions under circumstances approved by the MSF. MSF support in the form of a loan shall also be performance based, with preference given to qualified businesses needing assistance to expand in Michigan. Loans may include flexible terms and conditions, including below market interest rates, extended grace and repayment provisions, forgivable terms and flexible security requirements. Loans will also include provisions requiring repayment of loan funds under circumstances approved by the MSF.