As spring brings new life to the Keweenaw, fresh energy is taking hold across our region’s innovation and entrepreneurial landscape.
This month, we’re highlighting progress from the Return North initiative, sharing success stories from the Small Business Support Hub, and spotlighting the latest from our 2025 AMMP Accelerator cohort. You’ll also find updates from Invest UP, exciting guest visits at Orbion Space Technology, and local housing initiatives taking shape. Plus a few community events to keep you inspired over the long holiday weekend.
Building the Future of Advanced Materials: One Week at a Time
The AMMP Accelerator is well underway and momentum is growing. From deep-tech material breakthroughs to clean energy solutions, these founders are tapping into local resources, expert mentorship, and a thriving entrepreneurial community to bring transformative products to market. Their progress reflects not only individual drive, but also the strength of Michigan’s emerging innovation ecosystem.
Small Business Support Hub Success Story: White Water Associates
Safeguarding Our Drinking Water: How White Water Associates Is Strengthening Its Roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula With support from the Small Business Support Hub, this long-standing environmental lab is staying resilient and responsive in remote northern Michigan. Tucked in the forested community of Amasa, just off the banks of the Hemlock River, White Water Associates has quietly become one of the Upper Peninsula’s most trusted names in environmental laboratory testing and natural resource consulting.
Return North Update
Over the past few months, our Return North initiative has made exciting progress. In May, we launched a new job board that makes it easier than ever to submit job postings and discover local opportunities.
Click the link below to explore recent updates, browse current openings, or share the board with an employer in your network.
Invest UP CEO Summit highlights economic success in Upper Michigan
Two members of the MTEC team, David Rowe and Patrick Visser, attended Invest UP’s CEO Summit in Marquette this past month. The event included a presentation on strategies for regional economic growth and a panel discussion on building trust through transparent communication. To learn more, check out TV6’s coverage of the event.
Building an Economy Through Innovation and Partnership
Dr. Lendel’s commitment to research-driven solutions that expand economic opportunity aligns closely with the work we support at MTEC SmartZone. Her visit to Orbion Space Technology highlighted how early-stage support through state-backed programs and strategic partnerships can fuel long-term impact through job creation, technological innovation, and a thriving startup culture.
Invest UP Updates
More housing is on the way to the Western U.P.! After sitting vacant for over a decade, a former general store site in Chassell is set to bring 22 new housing units and commercial space to its downtown, thanks to a $1.5 million Michigan Strategic Fund grant awarded to T&J Properties and the good work of Jeff Ratcliffe and KEDA. With strong local leadership, community support, and a longtime builder at the helm, this redevelopment is another step toward building the places and opportunities that keep people living, working, and investing in the U.P.
The Daily Mining Gazette | Looking for the next big thing
The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Program (AMMP) through the nonprofit MTEC SmartZone in Houghton launched its Accelerator 2025 Kickoff at the Lakeshore Center on Tuesday. The AMMP Accelerator is a summer long cohort-based program aimed at Midwestern manufacturing companies in early-stage operations with its lessons designed to support underrepresented entrepreneurs which includes those in rural regions.
