Local session supports regional growth
By Pamela Jansson
pjansson@yourdailyglobe.com
https://www.yourdailyglobe.com/
WAKEFIELD – Roughly 60 people gathered on Monday at VFW Post 9084 in Wakefield, with one aim in mind: supporting development in this region. The session was organized by Mandy Lake, Wakefield Township supervisor and Bessemer city manager, who also acted as the emcee. Lake already has succeeded in getting the Michigan House of Representatives to include a $50 million grant in its next fiscal year budget for Wakefield Township. The state Senate’s budget vote is expected within weeks. If issued, the money is intended to address needed infrastructure, particularly an upgrade of County Road 519, which leads from Wakefield out to Lake Superior.
Local officials also would like to see greater broadband installation in the same region. Hence, as Lake declared to Monday’s crowd, “We’re all here in support of the $50 million grant.” She added that the funds are not just about Wakefield. “We believe it’s going to support our region as a whole,” said Lake, who added that the goal for County Road 519 is to rebuild it to “all-season status,” which she said would help the township’s industrial park. Speaking virtually by screen, State Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) also pushed hard for the pending Copperwood Project, which also would use the same road. “The U.P. is a mining community,” he said, adding that the project has earned its state permits. “Copperwood is critical to the future of the U.P.,” said Jay Kangas, supervisor of Ironwood Township.
The Copperwood Project property lies on both Wakefield and Ironwood townships. Mayor Kim Corcoran of Ironwood said that any new jobs created here will lead to “trickle-down spending,” by way of people using restaurants and other businesses and enrolling children in schools. Also speaking by screen, State Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Township) said that people argue that the U.P. should rely on tourism, but he said tourism does better when other business is thriving. Gogebic County Commissioner James Lorenson said that County Road 519 acts as “a primary entrance to one of the crown jewels in the state park system.” He was referring to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Lorenson, who also is on the county’s Search and Rescue Team, said the lack of broadband makes rescues in that area that much more challenging.
Denny Olson of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association said that County Road 519 is important to the timber industry, and Mike Smith, executive director of the U.P. Construction Council, pointed out that the U.P.’s number one export is youth.
Before, during and after the session, a separate, smaller group stood outside with signs to protest any progress in the Copperwood Project, the site of which borders the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and lies near Lake Superior. The protest by Protect the Porkies, founded by Tom Grotewohl, was peaceful, but members made it clear to persons walking by that they do not want any possibility of the lake being compromised. County commissioner Michael Yon, who is also a member of the Wakefield-Marenisco Board of Education, said the state has issued environmental permits for the project. He noted that the region needs jobs.