From left, Ishpeming City Manager Randy Scholz, Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron, and Ishpeming Township Supervisor/Marquette County MTA President Jim Nankervis listen to and answer questions during the LSCP’s Breakfast and Business event on Friday. (Journal photo by Abby LaForest)

ISHPEMING — The Breakfast and Business Series, presented by the Lake Superior Community Partnership and sponsored by Marquette-Alger RESA, hosted its State of the West End session on Friday morning.

Following a hot breakfast at the Mather Inn, Ishpeming City Manager Randy Scholz, Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron, and Ishpeming Township Supervisor and president of the Michigan Township Association’s Marquette Chapter Jim Nankervis all took the time to provide updates on their respective regions within the county.

Starting with Scholz, each official had a chance to speak. Scholz addressed a stabilization grant that has been secured to begin development on the Anderson building in downtown Ishpeming, which will help to revitalize the space. The city has also applied for funding from the Michigan Neighborhood Program, which includes a $684,000 grant opportunity under the Community Development Block Grant Program for another property near the downtown area. State and federal funding for replacing one of the aging fire trucks is also being pursued, which Scholz explained is a critical step in helping keep Ishpeming’s emergency services strong and responsive, and a request to support the rehabilitation of the city’s historic fire tower has also been submitted.

The $16 million sewer infrastructure project that began in April 2024 is still underway, where the process involves replacing 25,000 feet of sewer main. About 25 percent of the city roads will be torn up this summer in order to continue the work, and the city has hired a communications intern in response to concerns about communication during the last construction season. Approximately $528,000 has been used for storm replacement on Second Street following a major water event, replacing and fixing around 200 feet of brick pipe, and Scholz joked that using brick pipe didn’t sound like the best idea. Washington Street from County Road PAA to Old Washington Street has been resurfaced this year, a $515,000 project partially funded by a $375,000 Transportation and Economic Development – Category F grant. The US-41 and M-28 roundabout construction was a project that was also completed as an update to the area.

“My commitment as City Manager is to put the customer service (aspect) at the forefront,” Scholz announced. “(This includes) streamlining how we deliver services, improving communication, and making city hall a place that listens and responds to the needs of residents and businesses alike.”

Ishpeming will also begin their new summer hours beginning on June 2, where customers have the time to come in before work to take care of their needs and provide a work-life balance for city employees. Several positions have been reorganized and more benefits have been made available to city employees.

“The work we’re doing today is about more than buildings and budgets; it’s about people. It’s about creating a city where families want to stay, where businesses want to invest, and where future generations can thrive,” concluded Scholz as he closed out his segment. “This work doesn’t belong to (just) one office or one department. It belongs to all of us.”

Following Randy Scholz, Jim Nankervis took the time to address many of the events and projects happening in the different townships within Marquette County. Beginning with Michigamme Township, Nankervis mentioned that the Marquette County MTA’s Spring Banquet hosted around 70 people. Here are the main points that Nankervis made during his segment:

≤ Land sales within the Michigamme Downtown Development Authority have doubled

≤ Talon Metals is beginning their second year of nickel core drilling within the township, with Eagle Mine’s parent company Lundin Mining to finance $5 million to do more drilling

≤ Grant monies from the state have been used to build new multipurpose recreation courts at the township park

≤ Michigamme Township will be using additional grant money from Michigan’s Community Energy Management Program to upgrade lighting, stoves installation structures, and windows within the community building and the library

≤ A new fire truck has been purchased and will be delivered in June

≤ Local gem and the oldest building in Michigamme, Lloyd’s Pool Hall, has been purchased and is currently being renovated to support a future business

≤ The Moose Drop and Sports Shop restaurant is currently pending sale, and plans to be turned into a private residence rather than another restaurant

≤ Mount Shasta restaurant is slowly rebuilding its business

≤ The Eagle Mine is at lower production than normal due to a shutdown following a ceiling cave-in and partial tunnel collapse last year, so building reinforcements in the shafts throughout the mine led to the mine not producing from May to mid-October of 2024

As for Champion Township, Nankervis mentioned that they are finishing up remodeling the former Lions Club building on US-41 into an office space, which includes upgrades such as two new handicap-accessible restrooms, a conference room, a supervisor’s office, and a small kitchen. The north end of the building, formerly a garage area, is being worked on to include an airlock entryway, ramp to the main floor level, a waiting area, and a secure storage room, among other upgrades. A grand opening for the new space will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on June 17.

Powell Township plans to continue with development plans for a nine-hole disc golf course, there have been initial discussions to plan for a recreation building, and Dollar General will be constructing a new store on M-95 just south of the US-41 intersection.

Ely Township is looking at grants to begin a $2 million water project to update their water infrastructure, looking at upgrading their master plan, and working on a 48-parcel agreement for a recreation area.

Nankervis reported that Republic Township will be having its 35th annual fishing derby on July 19 and 20, and their new disc golf course is having a grand opening on June 7. The Pine Grove Bar will be having live music on weekends through the summer months, and the Republic-Michigamme Public Library will be hosting summer hours for residents. The dam project on the Michigamme River is now completed and fully operational, and the Upper Peninsula Power Company intends to build a 62.5 megawatt solar project on the tail end of the former Republic Mine.

Tilden Township’s National Mine School was demolished last year, opening up five residential lots where the school used to be. The Tilden Mine has paused its pursuit of a 78-acre expansion, and the township is working on both its recreational and master plans, in addition to awarding ten new building permits.

Last but not least, Ishpeming Township had two new houses and one Land Bank house built in West Ishpeming in 2024, with the Department of Public Works checking the water levels for lead and copper. Testing for the first 20 percent of houses in the township has finished, and the DPW will be starting on the next 20 percent soon. Solar panels have been installed on top of the fire department, saving energy costs for township offices according to Nankervis.

The NICE Community School District is constructing two new classrooms and a gymnasium at Aspen Ridge Elementary School, where the township provides a school resource officer. Costs of water, sewer, and garbage utilities continue to rise as average income is increased in the township. Ishpeming Township is also reworking their master and recreation plans, as well as revising the zoning ordinance, and the company Highline will be working on fiber lines around the Dead River Basin this summer.

Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron was the final official to discuss his city’s updates and projects. Heffron drew attention to the new Irontown Electric Substation that celebrated its completion with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday evening, providing the city with a new electricity option as the old substation on US-41 is set to be decommissioned. Since the completion of Negaunee’s Streetscape Project back in 2024, Heffron joked about how downtown Negaunee is a place that now has more things to do than visit the bars on Iron Street.

Foundations have also been laid for a new housing development in Negaunee, known as the Maple Ridge Subdivision, where 25 customizable homes are being built and five have already sold as of this article’s publication. The subdivision is located off of Maas Street and east of US-41 in the city, and the homes are starting at $334,000.

Negaunee’s Department of Public Works also began flushing their water system on May 27, which will occur between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and take up to three weeks for the entire system. During this time, the city recommends that customers avoid washing laundry during the period that hydrants are flushed in their neighborhoods, and water service should not be interrupted. No boil advisories are required as a result of the process, and residents can contact the DPW at 906-475-9991 with questions or concerns.

Heffron emphasized that the projects happening within Negaunee are meant to attract people to plant their roots in the city, such as welcoming in new businesses and families to the area. Construction such as the restoration of the historic Vista Theater and the creation of the Iron Town Plaza social hub.

“We want to encourage people to forge their adventure (in Negaunee),” Heffron explained. “Whether you’re a new business owner, or looking to move here, or just visiting, (we want you) to forge your own adventure.”

The updates from each city official were followed by a question-and-answer session from the audience, where community members and business owners were able to submit questions for one or each of the panel members to answer.

As various projects continue to develop and take shape within Marquette County’s West End, the Mining Journal will continue to provide coverage on events that are influencing and shaping the lives of those who live here.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.