MTEC SmartZone hosted some very important visitors recently. Within the span of two days, MTEC welcomed two federal leaders to Houghton for separate visits. From critical minerals to advanced manufacturing, both provided an opportunity for local voices to be heard and to share some of the exciting work happening right here in our region.
On Tuesday, September 2nd, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson and Chief of Staff Rachel Overbey met with MTEC client, Revex Technologies, to discuss the company’s mine tailings project. Revex is working to recover critical minerals, such as nickel and lithium, from mine waste tailings.
The meeting revolved around Revex’s mineral-processing plans, the REV Nickel Project, and its workforce development efforts. The company’s work could contribute to the United States’ goal of strengthening its domestic supply chains, particularly in the critical minerals space. Revex also discussed its ability to create new jobs and career opportunities right here in the U.P. Providing educational and career pathways in mining and mineral processing is more important now than ever before. Creating clear pathways in these fields could help retain skilled talent, provide new opportunities for the local workforce, and contribute to economic growth within the region.
What Local Leaders Need to Grow
The following day, Senator Elissa Slotkin visited our MTEC offices for a roundtable discussion with local leaders. Over the past few years, companies in the Western Upper Peninsula have received a large number of investments from the state and federal governments. This recognition has helped position the area as a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovative businesses. As that momentum continues, understanding what local companies need to successfully grow is essential.
The conversation with Slotkin was open, honest and candid. It allowed those in the room to share the challenges they’ve faced in business development and scaling within the U.P. Slotkin asked those in the room a simple, but important question: “What do we need to be doing better?”
Creating a Space for Meaningful Discussion
MTEC is proud to provide a space where these types of discussions can occur. While these visits were for entirely different reasons, both generated a great deal of attention. They brought together local leaders, business owners, and federal decision-makers. New ideas were shared, current challenges were evaluated, and discussions took place about how to grow, all with the Western U.P. in mind. Additionally, these conversations helped amplify all of the current innovative work happening right now. MTEC is proud to see the Western U.P. receive this attention and recognition, as well as play a role in conversations that support local business growth.
