June 2021 Newsletter
I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather we’ve been having. I myself welcomed the early spring and look forward to a fun and exciting summer. The feeling in the air is optimism. We are hearing it from our members and from folks traveling through and visiting the Chamber.

In May our board of directors and chamber employees did some great member outreach. May 3-7 was National Small Business Appreciation Week. We visited a large portion of our membership. Perhaps you were visited by a Chamber employee or board member. We had some fun handing out $100,000 dollar candy bars and had some great conversations. The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce offers so many benefits, and we want our members to take full advantage of these. Your membership should never feel like a donation. If you’d like to be visited by a Chamber employee or board member, reach out. We’d love to talk about how we can assist your business.

As summer approaches and schools let out for summer break, we anticipate seeing more folks coming through the Chamber visitor’s center. We are open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. Our employees and volunteers are social distancing and masking when talking to folks coming into the Chamber offices. We are excited for summer tourism and can’t wait to welcome visitors into our area.

Another exciting development is Tara Arens starting back this month to our Chamber Manager position. We are thrilled to welcome Tara back and excited that she has returned to our staff full time. If you have ideas on how our Chamber can better assist local businesses, consider attending one of our board meetings, either virtual or in-person. The Chamber Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:45 am. We welcome your input and ideas.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous summer season.

Mary Myers
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce
Board President
Top Chamber Supporters
Please support our Chamber Member Businesses!
Welcome NEW Members
Please support our Chamber Member Businesses!
W E L C O M E
614 Shelden Ave.
Houghton, MI 49931
Phone: 906.523.5777
OPEN: Monday - Saturday: 10AM - 6PM

Grace + Gather is a boutique to inspire others to grow and flourish through cultivating a beautiful wardrobe and a cozy home.
The meaning behind their name came from dreams to create a beautiful and inviting space to gather with others, to grow our community and businesses, all while remembering and reminding each other that grace paves the way! Every piece is hand picked to create a collection of your own.
G + G is passionate about clothing that expresses your unique style, while remaining comfortable and timeless. G + G believes getting dressed should be effortless and fun. G + G hope is that you feel confident in who you are and always let your inner beauty shine!
G + G dream encourages, inspires, and help others grow with our love for Jesus, personal growth, adventure and all things home.
G + G goal is to help others make their houses feel like home with hand-picked, high quality home goods that are both functional and beautiful. G + G believes your home should be a place that makes you feel good and to gather with your loved ones.
W E L C O M E
The Fire Station
Razorback Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
OPEN: 9AM - 8PM

Established in October 2019, The Fire Station was the 2nd medical provisioning center to open in the UP. The Fire Station’s Negaunee location became the 1st licensed recreational marijuana facility in the UP in November 2019 and was approved for delivery services in March 2020.
The Fire Station is committed to being the premier cannabis destination across the UP and is here to provide customers with high-quality cannabis products, education, and exceptional customer service.
The Fire Station is locally owned and operated and dedicated to serving our local communities first and foremost.
The Fire Stations new location is opening at Razorback Drive | Houghton, MI
The Fire Station offers Adult-Recreational usage.
W E L C O M E
Patrick's Plumbing and Heating
Dollar Bay, MI 49922
Phone: 906.482.0139
OPEN: MONDAY through FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM

Patrick’s Plumbing and Heating offers Sewer and Drain Cleaning, Fire Suppression installation and Inspections.
Family owned Plumbing and Heating business. Patrick's Plumbing and Heating provides service and new installation for both residential and commercial.
Patrick's Plumbing and Heating also provide a Sewer and Drain cleaning division.
Offering 24/7 on-call service.
Patrick’s Plumbing & Heating will diagnose the issue and find an appropriate solution. For an easy solution from a local company that truly wants to help.
Thank you for RENEWING your membership
Please support our Chamber Member Businesses!
Studio 13
Darrell Guitar - Realtor
Northern Light Cottages
Bill's B & B Bar
Brian Rendel
Keweenaw Automotive
Chickadees
Sherwin Williams Company
The Guys' Place- A Hair Salon for Men
Freshwater Vacation Rentals, LLC
Osceola Township
Reeves Painting, LLC
The Tool Shed
Finnsight, LLC
King Copper Motel
Lake Linden Downtown Development Authority
Credit Services, Inc.
Benefits Available to your Business
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce members
are eligible to these benefits below.

We encourage you to reach out and take advantage of these great benefits, or let us know if you have any questions, call 482-5240 or email info@keweenaw.org
Accident Fund Insurance Discount Program
Like us on Facebook
We like to share news, updates, and events of our membership on Facebook. If you have a post that you would like us to share please share it with us and we would love to help spread the word!
Chamber News
Our May, Keweenaw Alliance Virtual Breakfast with the

The program included a presentation from:
Kevin Store - PHF/KEDA/CTE Scholarship Recipients
Eric Waara - City of Houghton Update
Mary Babcock - City of Hancock Update
Rob Tervo - MDOT Update
Thank you all for attending and a huge THANK YOU to Eric Waara, Mary Babcock and Rob Tervo for updating the community on these important projects!
Also, recognizing George Stockero, Superintendent of the Copper ISD a job well done and well wishes on his next adventures. Thank you for your time served in the Copper Country, you will be greatly missed!
1 Million Cups of Coffee followed the breakfast with two new local companies; Unite’ and Kyle’s Bike + Brew presentations!

The Copper Country ISD is hosting the Michigan ISD Superintendents Conference, June 23-25, 2021. The Keweenaw area should see 50-80 participants from around the state who will be bringing families along to experience the Keweenaw.

We want to promote YOU! So this is a good opportunity to make a great first impressions. We want to offer the participants a coupon booklet including experiences and promotions in the area.

ATTENTION!! SEND the details for your FREE ad or coupon to info@keweenaw.org to be included in the coupon booklet. We'll design the ad or coupon for you - all we need to know is what you're offering! Please email your ad by June 14, 2021.

We recommend making your coupon valid through the dates or even extending for a return visit, but of course, it's up to you and what works for your business.
The Upper Peninsula currently has over 3,700 job openings.
Here is the full list of positions, separated by county, from Michigan Works: https://drive.google.com/.../1WuUbOOnAPKh4DXMlvcX.../view...
LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT?
ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!
Join the Houghton and Hancock
Business Association Meetings
Houghton - First Wednesday of the Month
Hancock - Second Tuesday of the Month
Upcoming Events
The 2021 Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival will be a Poker Run. Riders will have the choice of a short, long, and adventure route. Each route will have multiple poker chip stations at random locations. Riders will collect a chip from each location and submit them to find out their poker hand. The best poker hand will win various prize packages! The ride is free to enter. All proceeds from the donations will go to supporting the Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids and Swedetown trails.
Please note that this year's event is self supported. There will not be any aid stations, and riders will need to navigate the course on their own. Also, please note that the time slots are meant to minimize the number of people congregating at the start and at the Poker Chip stations. They do not designate which distance you're riding. You can ride any of the three distances in any of the four time slots. 


See you on the TRAILS!
St. Ignatius Loyola
RUBBER DUCKY RACE
Saturday, June 19, 2021 - PORTAGE CANAL
1:00PM and 3:00PM

Adopt-A-Duck
1 QUACK = $5 BILLS
5 QUACKS = $20 BILLS
FLOCK OF 30 QUACKS = $100 BILLS
Contact Annette Butina at 906.482.0212 or a St. Ignatius Parishioner
Lake Linden 4th of July Celebration
Friday, July 2nd + Saturday, July 3rd
Stay tuned for Schedule of Events!
Flea market from 7AM to 1PM along the Old M-26 highway in South Range. The cost for participation is $30 dollars for 25 feet of space. You can register by calling Mike at 482-3563.  
There will be four parade cash prizes 1st,2nd,3rd and Most Patriotic for decorated floats. 
U.P. SUMMER THEATER INSTITUTE
JULY 5 - 9, 2021
GRADES 6-11
ROZSA CENTER
Copper Country Strawberry Festival
July 9 & 10, 2021
 Saturday July 17, 2021
 7:00AM EDT

The Canal Run features a half marathon, five-mile walk, five-mile run, 10-mile walk and its signature event, a 10-mile run.
For more information: www.canal.run
Register today at: www.canal.run
GS Engineering
47500 US Highway 41
Houghton, MI 49931

When:
August 11, 2021, at 2:30 pm
ZenBusiness empowers new business owners by making it easier than ever to start, run and grow a successful business. Launch your business with our worry free services, world-class support and an all-inclusive platform delivering everything you need to be successful.
 Formation plans starting at $49.00.
 
Click here to quickly and easily register your dream business. 
 
PLEASE CHECK OUR
COMMUNITY CALENDAR!
Keweenaw Cash
The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer Keweenaw Cash: a gift certificate program that can be used at more than 300 Chamber member businesses. Since its launch, the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce has issued over $341,000 worth of Keweenaw Cash. That money goes right back into local businesses!

Keweenaw Cash can be purchased in any denomination, allowing the recipient more flexibility and enabling them to use the certificates at numerous businesses.

In addition to making great gifts, businesses can purchase Keweenaw Cash as bonuses, prizes, at fundraising events, as employee incentives or awards, retirement gifts, to mark a milestone, or as part of a welcome package for new hires.

Certificates come with an envelope and a list of all the participating businesses.
Please note we require at least a 24 hour notice when placing orders. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen certificates.

If you are a business and would be interested in being able to redeem Keweenaw Cash, please look into a becoming a member with the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information about Keweenaw Cash, to purchase certificates, or how you can accept Keweenaw Cash, call 906-482-5240 or email info@keweenaw.org
We need your Business Cards/Brochures
Board of Directors
Mary Myers, President
Account Executive
WLUC TV6 & FoxUP

Jan Cole - Vice President
Managing Partner
Edochi, LLC

James Desrochers - Treasurer
Director of Advancement
Michigan Technological University

Angela Luskin, Secretary
Health and Fitness Manager
UP Health System-Portage

Morgan Impola
Regional Engineer
UPPCO

Jennifer Jenich-Laplander
Regional Communication and Engagement
Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital

Todd Gast
Marketing Manager
Keweenaw Co-op
Penny Milkey
Owner
Northern Specialty Health

Shannon Vairo
Assistant to Dean of Students
Michigan Technological University

Betsy Smith
Owner
Baby E's BBQ

Jill Passanisi
Owner
Nitro Consulting

Mariah Summers
Events Manager
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

Haley Bussell
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Finlandia University

Mary Sears, KEDA Representative
Brad Barnett, CVB Representative
Your Lansing Contacts
Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Contact your legislators! 
 
Governor 
 
U.S. Senators
 
U.S. Representative
 
State Senate District: 38
 
House of Representative District: 110 
Our roots run deep in the Keweenaw
Upper Peninsula Power Company was created in 1947 through a merger of three utilities. One of them, the Houghton County Electric Light Company, earlier acquired the interests of Peninsula Electric Light and Power, which began operating in the Keweenaw in 1884 – just five years after Edison invented the light bulb.
From the Edison bulb to high-tech electronics of today, you might say UPPCO has been providing “U.P. Power” for more than 130 years. 
Customer Service
(800-562-7680)
24-Hour Electric Emergencies/Outages
1-800-562-7809
Outage Updates
@uppco
Safe & Reliable Service
Renewable Hydroelectric Generation
With Public Recreational Opportunities
Proud Community Supporter



Learn more at
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce
902 College Ave, Houghton, MI 49931