UPword Michigan

10/08/2025

It may be too early to think about Christmas shopping but not too early to know about THE holiday tree for Michigan!

A 68-foot spruce from Sault Ste. Marie will serve as Michigan's official Christmas tree.

10/07/2025

Most news talks about what’s going wrong. We spotlight what’s going right. ✨

At UPword, we share the people, ideas, and solutions making our region stronger.

This is solutions journalism: asking what’s working, who’s making a difference, and how we can all learn from it.

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10/07/2025

"Every piece of research we’ve done shows the same thing — if we don’t figure out a way to keep young people here, the imbalance will only grow more acute," says Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP.

The program aims to encourage students to pursue careers in the U.P.

10/04/2025

https://upwordmichigan.com/global-detroit-helps-founders-succeed-from-the-rural-reaches-of-the-u-p-to-the-farms-feeding-those-in-the-city/

Houghton-based FlowShield-Nano has been aided by Global Detroit's entrepreneur residence program.

10/02/2025

There are various efforts to encourage young people to stay and work in the U.P. Northern Michigan University's Rural Fellowship Leadership Program is among them.

The program aims to encourage students to pursue careers in the U.P.

09/30/2025

Last week we paused to reflect on the stories we have published so far this year. This story by writer Ann Dallman has been our most-read story so far in 2025.

Norway native Jeff Muraro gave up a sales career in the tech industry to open a butcher shop in his hometown. He learned sausage-making skills from his family -- his butchering skills were honed by watching YouTube.

09/29/2025

Good news for downtown projects in Calumet and Manistique.

Redevelopment projects in two U.P. communities received big state economic grants to help move them forward.

09/28/2025

https://upwordmichigan.com/906-day-inspires-career-and-job-events-to-encourage-young-people-to-remain-and-work-in-the-u-p/

906 Day has inspired efforts to encourage students to pursue careers in the U.P.

08/29/2025

The annual celebration of all things U.P. occurs on Sept. 6, a nod to the region's distinctive area code. 906 Day celebrates the U.P.'s cherished way of life, close-knit communities, natural beauty and more. City of Hancock
Learn more at

08/25/2025

"Nikki has been the driving force behind the school's success. Her vision and energy have shaped the institute into what it is today -- a thriving center for workforce development," said Joseph D. Reid, chairman of the Marine Trades Institute's board.
Learn more at

08/21/2025

Long a part of the cultural fabric of the Visit Keweenaw, the thimbleberry is being celebrated with its first-ever festival, rolling out at farmers' markets in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet this week. Learn more at

Long a part of the cultural fabric of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the thimbleberry is being celebrated with its first-ever festival, rolling out at farmers' markets in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet this week. 

08/20/2025

The Marquette Trail 50 is considered one of the Midwest’s signature ultras, famous for its rugged, challenging course and high peaks with views of Lake Superior. Those peaks are often the undoing of many runners. To read more, visit

The Marquette Trail 50 is considered one of the Midwest’s signature ultras, famous for its rugged, challenging course and high peaks with views of Lake Superior. Those peaks are often the undoing of many runners.