The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a $3 million grant for the development of Shophouse Park. The facility, which would focus on outdoor recreation and product innovation, would be in the city of Marquette. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan Strategic Fund)

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a $3 million performance-based grant for Hoponassu OZ, LLC to develop Shophouse Park Technology and Innovation Hub, an outdoor recreation and product innovation space situated between Northern Michigan University and the Lake Superior shore.

The project will include live-work-innovate space that will foster collaboration to grow the outdoor recreation and mobility industries, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a news release.

The project is intended to solidify Michigan’s leadership position in mobility by connecting the state’s mobility sector to the outdoor recreation industry, drawing companies and teams from across the globe to create, develop, test and refine new technologies and vehicles that support activities like overlanding, off-roading and van life, along with conventional outdoor recreation activities like hiking, biking and paddling.

It is also expected to capitalize on private sector funding and capital as well as state and federal grant opportunities, and is expected to consolidate and focus talent in the region.

“David Ollila is a legend in the outdoor recreation industry, and I couldn’t be more excited to see him creating a place where Michigan can leverage the authentic Upper Peninsula outdoor experience while nurturing outdoor entrepreneurs and fostering collaboration with state’s full suite of design, innovation and production expertise,” said Brad Garmon, executive director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. “This is a critical investment in a program and a place that Michigan needs in order to grab the attention of the national outdoor recreation industry and grow opportunities for the entire state.”

Hoponassu OZ, LLC owner Ollila will lead the development team. Project advisers include the Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, InvestUP, Michigan Technological University, the city of Marquette, MICHauto, 100k Ideas and private consultant Michael Browne.

“By aligning its natural resources and assets with this economic moment, Michigan has a chance to lead the nation and establish the U.P. and Michigan as the center of excellence in outdoor recreation and mobility innovation,” Ollila said. “This is an opportunity to drive stronger connections between our peninsulas and provide the U.P. an asset that contributes to our collective economy In a way we have not done since Ford was operating plants in the U.P.”

Ollila first Entrepreneur in Residence

Innovate Marquette SmartZone in November announced the launch of its Entrepreneur in Residence program as well as its inaugural resident, Ollila.

An Entrepreneur in Residence program, it noted, is typical of business accelerators around the globe and this asset for entrepreneurs is now available in Marquette. Residents in the program are seasoned veterans in their area of expertise and act as a mentor and specialist to their host organization and its accelerator clients.

Innovate Marquette is focused on the incubation and acceleration of business ideas in three key sectors:

≤ outdoor invovation: mobility and accessibility in recreation;

≤ sustainable technologies; and

≤ creative technologies.

Ollila’s role will focus on the outdoor innovation sector.