MARQUETTE — The Michigan Municipal League brought its Local Economies initiative to several Central Upper Peninsula communities last week, with visits to Forsyth Township, Ishpeming, Gladstone, Manistique and Marquette.

Backed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, the program helps smaller communities better support microbusinesses and entrepreneurs by strengthening local networks and improving access to capital and other valuable resources.

The visit was made possible with support from the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s Central Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub, which helped connect MML staff with local and regional stakeholders.

The effort brings more statewide attention to the community-level relationships and support systems in the U.P. that help small businesses get established and grow.