ESCANABA — Most of us in our Escanaba community (and our vehicles) have travelled (and suffered) through the 9th Avenue North to North 30th Street extension road. For those unfamiliar with the territory, this commonly used road is the southern demarcation of the U.P. State Fairgrounds property and while the eastern paved portion is the responsibility of the City of Escanaba, the gravel section west of the train tracks crossing is actually private property of the UP State Fairgrounds. In addition to being a short alternative connection between North Lincoln/US 2 and North 30th Street and a major ORV trailhead, the road is home to a number of local businesses and utilized by their customers on a daily basis.

Despite noteworthy, albeit unilateral, efforts to maintain the road over the years, the road inevitably would become nearly impassable to all but the most brave (or unfortunate) due to the forces of weather, misuse, and limited resources. For anyone who has recently navigated this roadway in the past few weeks, your experience was likely far more favorable (and your vehicle’s suspension parts were far more appreciative), thanks to a recent collaboration between the U.P. State Fair Authority, Delta Chamber of Commerce, A&L Iron and Metal Company, and North Country Heavy Equipment School.

“North Country Heavy Equipment School has really enjoyed working with the Chamber on this road project. This has been a great experience to give these students striving to become heavy equipment operators themselves. Being able to work on a real jobsite with parameters, deadlines, and expectations give these students real life experience they can take into the workforce. With multiple veterans in the class and two individuals coming from New York City, this really made the experience for them here in Escanaba an unforgettable one,” said Josh Barron, director of North Country Heavy Equipment School.

Recognizing the strategic and economic importance of this thoroughfare and in consideration of the patrons, customers, and citizens of our community (and our visitors) who may need to utilize this roadway, the project collaborators came together to explore pragmatic, mutually-beneficial and cost-effective solutions. While each partner’s contribution is unique, none of the road improvements would have been possible if not for each organization’s spirit of collaboration and commitment to community.

As Vickie Micheau, Delta Chamber of Commerce executive director and management agent for the U.P. State Fair reported to the Authority , “Matt Valiquette identified an opportunity to collaborate with community stakeholders to maintain the Authority-owned road on 9th Avenue from the railroad tracks to North 30th Street. This symbiotic relationship is a huge win and I commend Matt for arriving at a solution to address this long-standing problem.”

Far more significant and important than repairing a simple dirt road, the project demonstrates the value and importance of collaboration and community investment for the benefit of all.

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Matt Valiquette is the operations manager for the Commerce Center and U.P. State Fair.