In the photo above left, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at Wednesday’s graduation ceremony of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council Building Trades Summer Camp at the Carpenters and Millwrights Training Center in Negaunee Township. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric) In the photo above right, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Senior Vice President Matt McCauley, left, stands with Whitmer and Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman to mark the demolition of the former Marquette General Hospital. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers) In the below right photo, Whitmer visits the city of Negaunee to present a $3 million check for the restoration of the Vista Theater, from left are Negaunee Planning and Zoning Administrator David Nelson, Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council President Rusty Bowers, Mayor Dave Kangas, City Manager Nate Heffron, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State Rep. Jenn Hill and city councilor Dana LaLonde stand in front of the historic Vista Theater as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presents the $3 million check for roof repairs for the building on Wednesday. Whitmer made the stops as part of her “Make it in Michigan” tour in the U.P. (Journal photo by Dreyma Beronja)

By CHRISTIE

MASTRIC,

ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

AND

DREYMA BERONJA

Journal Staff Writers

MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made stops in Marquette and Negaunee on Wednesday as part of her Make it in Michigan tour in the Upper Peninsula.

Whitmer started her day in Negaunee Township, joining graduates of the Upper Peninsula Construction Council’s Building Trades Summer Camp and delivering the keynote address at the graduation.

Whitmer is setting what she calls a Sixty by 30 Goal, providing opportunities for 60% of Michiganders to earn a degree or skills certificate by 2030.

“One of the things that we know is that an opportunity anywhere in the state you can find if you get into the trades,” Whitmer said during her address. “You can get the skills you need and get paid while getting those skills. You have health care.

“You have retirement — all of the things that so many people are hoping for and praying for in other lines of work are incumbent and inherent in the grade, and that’s why making sure young people, and older people, know that there is a path to prosperity and dignity in work through the trades.”

She stressed that not everyone should take the same path, and that the state wouldn’t have a prosperous economy if everyone were a dentist or pipe fitter.

“We need people that explore whatever path is right for them, but also to be on one that will give them a good-paying job so they can build a life and a family,” Whitmer said.

She also complimented the Building Trades Summer Camp program.

“This is really a special program that is new, that is growing and is changing lives,” Whitmer said.

Dean Gutzman and Marty Sutinen, co-presidents of the UPCC, also spoke at the ceremony.

“I think it’s a great program,” Gutzman said. “It lets the students see what the trades have to offer.”

Sutinen said giving the students hands-on learning opportunities and allowing them to earn credentials is a “game changer,” with trades education essential.

“It’s not an option but a necessity to ensure we have adequate resources now and beyond,” he said.

State investment in the former UP Health System-Marquette site

Later in the morning, Whitmer joined Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman, NMU Foundation CEO Brad Canale, Marquette city Manager Karen Kovacs, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Senior Vice President Matt McCauley and others in Marquette for an update on the former Marquette General Hospital demolition and development.

During his part of the presentation, McCauley noted that the $166 million plan to develop the 23-acre site is “the largest community development project in Upper Peninsula history.”

An $8 million portion of the $18 million to $20 million tab for site demolition and hazardous materials removal will be funded through the state’s 2022-23 budget.

The MEDC allocated an additional $8 million to the city of Marquette in the form of a Community Development Block Grant for blight elimination.

UPHS-Marquette’s parent company Lifepoint allocated $4 million under the transfer agreement with the NMU Foundation.

Whitmer said the project marks a new chapter in Marquette’s story, with affordable housing, a senior living complex as well as a retail complex and green space.

“Instead of crossing College Avenue to avoid blighted and dangerous properties, families will enjoy almost 1 million square feet of redeveloped space,” Whitmer said. “This project will make a real difference in people’s lives and represents what Michigan is really all about: investing in a place long term and building it back better than before.”

She noted the state budget also allocates over $50 million for the Housing and Community Development Fund which will build thousands of residential housing units and support good-paying jobs. She said the U.P. is part of that investment.

“The U.P. is home to incredible beauty and unstoppable grit. You fight to make your communities better places to raise your families and we’re going to have your back by investing in you,” Whitmer said. “So construction might be noisy, but when you hear a drill or a jackhammer, remember that is the sound of progress. Of jobs. Of our future. So let’s keep working together to bring new life to every region of our state, starting right here in the Upper Peninsula.”

Negaunee Vista

Theater visit

Wrapping up her first day of the Make it in Michigan tour in the U.P., Whitmer made her way back to Negaunee to join state Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, and Negaunee Mayor Dave Kangas and city Manager Nate Heffron to tour Iron Street and see the construction of new water, sewer and road infrastructure.

Whitmer paid Negaunee a visit to see the construction that is underway and present a $3 million check for the rehabilitation of the Historic Vista Theater.

Whitmer was joined by Hill, Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council President Rusty Bowers, Kangas, Heffron and other Negaunee city officials.

Since the end of June, downtown Negaunee has been working on its Downtown Enhancement Project, otherwise known as the Streetscape Project.

City leaders started the project in order to revitalize the downtown area as well as make substantial infrastructure improvements.

Some aspects of the project include upgrades to water and sewer mains, installation of new sidewalks, street lighting and the implementation of fiber networks.

“I think it’s important that our state legislator and the executive see where this money is going to,” Heffron said. “It’s easy to see things on paper occasionally but actually seeing the work on the ground firsthand really goes a long way. I feel and they can see that this investment is well worth it in our downtown.”

On June 28, the Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget, allocating $3 million from the state’s general fund to help the city of Negaunee restore the Vista.

The city is in negotiations with PAAC to transfer the theater and the field building next door to the city.

On Aug. 26, 2020, the roof over the auditorium collapsed due to a rainwater buildup caused by a faulty drain. PAAC raised nearly $140,000 to remove the debris from the auditorium section of the building and ensure the interior walls are supported, but was unable to get funding for a new roof.

“It’s so nice to see that all of our efforts to save the building are going to happen,” Bowers said. “We (PAAC) are turning ownership over to the city but we still want to play a role in advising, consulting and helping, because our goal was to save this building and we are so happy that it’s happening.”

Whitmer’s visit on Wednesday included a walking tour along Iron Street before stopping in front of the Vista building to present a $3 million check.

“When we do these budgets and we talk in these big numbers … sometimes people lose sight of what it really means,” Whitmer said. “So to stand here in Negaunee to see the construction that is happening, to see the Vista, which is going to get new life breathed into it and create so many beautiful places, that’s what this work is about.

“This is why I do what I do. I love people, I love getting across Michigan and this is really cool what’s happening here.”

Whitmer is expected to host a luncheon at the U.P. State Fair today.