MARQUETTE, Mich. — People across the Western Upper Peninsula are supporting the Copperwood Project.

Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake and State Rep. Dave Preston gave testmony in support of the $50 million grant request from Wakefield Township at the very Directed Spending Request hearing held by the Labor and Economic Opportunity Appropria=ons SubcommiSubcommitteeield Township was honored to present the $50 million infrastructure upgrade proposal to the House Appropria=ons SubcommiSubcommitteer and Economic Opportunity,” Lake said. “We’re asking for this public infrastructure grant because we know our region is worth the investment. In addi=on to forest products and our local industrial park, the grant will also help advance the Copperwood mining project — a generatonal opportunity for our region. Mining is a part of our history, and it should be a part of our future. It’s a vital piece of the U.P.’s economy and enjoys broad local support.”

Sponsored by Rep. Greg Markkanen, the $50 million grant will help Wakefield Township make infrastructure improvements and upgrades that it could not make on its own to attract much-needed jobs and opportuni=es to the region.

“The people of the Western Upper Peninsula deserve jobs and opportunopportunitieslow them to stay in the communi=es commune call home,” said Ironwood Township Supervisor Jay Kangas. “The Copperwood Project will do just that — supposupportinglies, strengthening our economy and helping Ironwood Township and our neighbors thrive. We’re grateful for Wakefield Township’s leadership in pursuing this critical grant and urge our legislators to recognize the potenial this project has to create lastnlastingitive change for the UP and our state.”

The Western Upper Peninsula has suffered industry closures, hospital closures, declining school populations and degrading regional infrastructure that have made it hard for the region to attract economic development opportunities and retain its workforce, especially younger generations. This grant would help the region make the necessary infrastructure improvements to move transformational projects like the Copperwood Project forward.

“The Copperwood Project represents a significant and much-needed economic opportunity for the Western Upper Peninsula,” said InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante. “This investment will not only create good-paying jobs and revitalize communities in Gogebic County, but it will also generate a ripple effect that benefits the en=re region, our state and beyond. As industries like advanced manufacturing and national security increasingly rely on critical minerals like copper, the Copperwood Project positions Michigan as a vital player in strengthening domesdomesticly chains and supporting the technologies that power our future.”

According to a report from UPJohn, mining is one of the two top industries in the Upper Peninsula in terms of both economic output and wages. The 25-54 age demographic is the fastest declining in the Upper Peninsula because working-aged people are leaving the region in search of jobs and opportunities. The Copperwood Project would help keep families in the region and a6racattractones.

“For years, our high school graduates have been forced to leave the U.P. to make a decent living,” said Ryan Stern, U.P. representative of the Michigan Building Trades Council. “The Copperwood Project is a game changer for our region. It means our young people can build good-paying careers without having to walk away from their families, their roots and the communities that raised them.”

The Copperwood Project has support from Congressman Jack Bergman, Senator Elisa Slotkin, all four Upper Peninsula legislators — Senator McBroom, Rep. Presten, Rep. Bohnak and Rep Markkanen — and the Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council, a group of all 22 economic development organizations in the region.

“It’s no secret that the Western Upper Peninsula has been facing serious economic challenges. Our median income is below the state average, our poverty rate is high and we have seen our student population dramatically decline,” said Rep. Markkanen. “That is why I’m joining the local community in asking my colleagues in the legislature to approve the grant for Wakefield Township. The investment will make our local industrial park viable, support our vital forest and amber sector and spur growth in our mining industry — an industry with historic and future value to the region.”

Additionally, twenty-one units of government, ranging from townships to county boards, have issued multiple resolutions of support, nearly ten local ins=tu=ons have submitted letters of support and dozens of community leaders and elected officials have spoken publicly in support of the Copperwood Project.

“The Copperwood Project represents a tremendous opportunity to revitalize the Western Upper Peninsula and bring good-paying jobs back to our communities. I am grateful for the opportunity to

present to the Legislature about advancing Wakefield Township’s grant request,” said Rep. Presten.

“Today’s hearing was another big step forward in making this vision a reality. This project will help strengthen our economy, support our families and ensure the Western U.P. has a bright future.”