Nate Heffron, city manager, city of Negaunee

NEGAUNEE — Negaunee is not all just downtown happenings and special projects, there are other impactful areas of our community.

Look at the U.S. 41 corridor!

It’s one of those commercial districts where it’s just easier to attract developers without much governmental assistance.

Our commercial district’s location along a major travel route connecting several communities throughout the Upper Peninsula gives businesses high visibility.

The properties that line U.S. 41 are a great location for a variety of entrepreneurial opportunities.

And I think it’s only appropriate that we celebrate the private investments that have happened lately along this corridor.

Today I will be focusing on three new businesses that recently opened or will be opened by the end of the summer.

There’s new life in the old Family Video building. Pete Munson recently purchased the storefront and opened Munson Retirement Solutions. He’s offering financial advising services.

Pete will have at least one other employee. He says the business has growth potential from there.

In addition, the commercial space has two long-term leases (Subway and Wild Wild West Tobacco), and there’s room for at least one more business in the space.

Pete said there’s is a lot of good things happening in Negaunee. He sees the new growth spilling over into every facet of life in the city.

“Negaunee is my heritage; people take pride in this community! This is why I chose to invest here,” Munson said.

This next location has been vacant for quite some time, but with two new businesses moving in. I am talking about the old medical office building across the highway from Fox Negaunee and near Miner Park. This building was recently purchased through a partnership between Dax Richer and Jason Gauthier of RG Design Company.

The new owners are giving the building a major overhaul, that includes adding a partial second story.

Once it’s done, it will be home to RG Design Company’s offices and a showroom, and a second business, Edward Jones.

RG Design offers Architectural, interior design, and project management services. In addition, they provide custom cabinet design through Wood Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry, which will be featured in their showroom.

Dax said they chose Negaunee because of ties to the west end and originally being from the west end. He also sees the potential for good things moving forward.

“We think we have an instinct about where things will be going on the west end, we see the west end being the next area for growth,” Dax said. RG Design is hoping to be up and running their new location by mid-August.

Negaunee local Ryan LaMere will operate a new Edward Jones office in the building as well.

Edward Jones is a financial services firm that provides financial planning, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and investment services.

LaMere said he’s been working to branch off on his own through the Edwards Jones business model.

He said Negaunee is a great place to make that happen.

“I was born and raised in Negaunee, I feel that this community and the west end will be the best fit for us,” LaMere said.

LaMere expects to have up to three additional employees in his new office.

He hopes to celebrate his grand opening in early August.

LaMere would like to partner with the Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Chamber of Commerce to host a Business After Hours.

Great things are happening all over Negaunee. New businesses, new jobs, new opportunities to Move Forward. Maybe you’re looking to expand or move your business? Come forge your adventure with Negaunee!