Volume 2021, Issue 1 Winter Newsletter Including: 2020 Year in Review

1 The Fuzzy Boyak Welcome Center INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Message from the Director 3 New Members

Upcoming Placemaking Projects 4

Alger County Chamber of Commerce/Greater 2020 Business of the Year 5 Munising Bay Partnership for Commerce MEDC Grant/Harley Davidson building Development and Munising Downtown Development Authority 129 E. Munising Ave., Munising Chamber: (906) 387-2138 DDA: (906) 387-1110 DDA facades 6 [email protected] UPEDA Website Rekindle the Spirit recap Staff Kathy Reynolds, Ph.D., CEO and Executive Director DDA Business Decorating Contest 7 Pat Sanderson, Office Manager Jaymie Depew, Communications and Special Projects Assistant Websites www.algercountychamber.com www.munisingdowntown.com 2020 Year in Review 8 Prohibition Mural Chamber Scholarship Cover Photo Sand Point Beach Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore “Sheltered along Munising Bay, Sand Point 2020 Year in Review 9-12 Beach offers shallow water, less waves, and usu- Maritime Munising ally slightly warmer water than other park beach- Art in the Alley es. This is the only beach with picnic tables out COVID-19 grants on the sand, including one wheelchair accessible picnic table.” - PRNL

2 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Kathy Reynold, Ph.D.

Instead of slowing down or feeling deflated during 2020, our office moved forward and implemented new programs and projects. Through these times, our office has not only maintained our standard day-to- day operations (many of these virtually), but have also taken on new pro- jects and learned new ways to complete these tasks. I feel this has given us the opportunity to incorporate new and innovative operations within the office, many of which have been virtual throughout the year. Some of these virtual tasks will be continued into the future at the office. We have learned that by incorporating these methods it has made us more produc- tive. I'm also very proud of our health care workers, the service industry workers and the businesses here in Alger County. Though this past year was a challenge, our community worked together to move forward.

The Newest Members of the Greater Munising Bay Partnership

*All members joined the Alger County Chamber of Commerce/Greater Munising Bay Partnership in 2020

Brey’s Fisheries Envirologic Technologies, Inc. Superior Hardware 1333 W Munising Ave. 2960 Interstate Parkway 14271 Lake Ave. Munising, MI 49862 Kalamazoo, MI 49048 Grand Marais, MI 49839 Facebook (269) 342-1100 (906) 494-2351 Website - Facebook Website - Facebook ByGeorge Brewing Company 231 E. Superior St., ’s Dragons Nest Upper Edge Salon Munising, MI 49862 223 E. Superior St. 330 1/2 E. Munising Ave., (906) 387-2739 Munising, MI 49862 Munising, MI 49862 Website - Facebook (906) 387-1125 Facebook Website - Facebook Copper Peak Vivial Media N13870 Copper Peak Rd. Slare Marketing & Design LLC (877) 742-3779 Ironwood, MI 49938 Munising, MI 49862 Website - Facebook (906) 932-3500 906-202-3439 Website - Facebook South Bay Outfitters East Channel Brewing Company 120 E Superior St. Business Directory 209 Maple St. Munising, MI 49862 Munising, MI 49862 (906) 387-4004 (906) 387-3007 Facebook Become a Member Website - Facebook

3 Our Newest Placemaking Projects are Underway!

Our office has also been meeting virtually with Mike Stockwell of Cranking Graphics to brainstorm three new murals that are slated to be installed around Munising in the spring. Each panel is Stockwell’s rendition of historical photo- graphs our office obtained graciously from Duane Har- gis of the Alger County His- torical Society.

Above: This mural will be placed on the Al- ger County Sheriff’s Department building. Two State constables are pictured horseback in Munising during the early 1900s. The Munising Railway Co. Depot is noted in the background. It was near where Binsfeld Bayshore Park is located today and was destroyed by fire in 1956. This panel is an artist's rendition of a historical photo- graph and was made possible by the generos- ity of the Fuzzy Boyak Memorial Fund.

Above: In the early 1900’s, Cleveland Cliff Iron Company provided tours of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This mural that pays homage to the history of touring the national lakeshore will be placed on the west side of the bathroom building at Binsfeld Bayshore Park. Right: This mural shows the SS South American docked at the Munising City Dock. The cruise ship toured the , visiting Munising on several occasions. The mural will also be placed on the west side of the bathroom building at Binsfeld Bayshore Park. 4 Celebrating the 2020 Business of the Year

A little over a month ago, our office teamed up with Michigan Works! to create a video high- lighting Madigan’s Ace Hard- ware of Munising. The local hardware store, which last year celebrated its 100th year as a family-owned business, was nominated as the 2020 Employ- er of the Year by Michigan Works! and the Chamber, an achievement that’s usually awarded at the Chamber’s an- Kathy pictured giving 2020 nual dinner. Business of the Year award to Madigan’s Ace Hardware owner, Dick Madigan, pictured Dick Madigan. Typically held in April, last during the filming of the Business of the Year video. year’s dinner was cancelled be- cause of COVID-19. We then planned on awarding Madigan’s during this year’s dinner, but since we’re uncer- tain an in-person event that draws at least 100 attendees will be possible in a few months, we went back to the drawing board. Footage for the video was filmed in January and will be released on the Chamber’s social me- dia outlets and website in the near future.

MEDC Grant: Harley-Davidson Building

In the Fall of 2020, the Greater Munising Bay Partnership led an effort to obtain a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Rental Rehabilitation grant for the rehab of three apartments in the upper level of the building where the Harley- Davidson store is currently located on Munising Avenue. Our CEO worked to- gether with the building owner and developer, John Madigan, and the City of Munising on the project. The City is the recipient of the grant monies that will be used to reimburse the developer for a portion of the cost of the project. The grant is in the amount of $180,000 and the MEDC certified grant administrator for the project is the CEO of the Part- nership, Kathy Reynolds. "We are grateful to the MEDC for the award of a Rental Rehab Community De- velopment Block grant for the development of three apartments in the upper level of a commercial building in the heart of Munising's downtown district," stated Kathy. "This will not only improve the building, but this has given us the ability to rehabilitate old units that were in disrepair. In addition, it will give low to moderate income residents the opportunity to live in the core of our downtown. It is all about partnerships and this pro- ject reflects the partnership between our office, the City and the developer, which equates to success for our downtown."

5 The Munising Downtown Development Authority is offering match- Façade ing grants toward the cost of facade improvements for businesses locat- ed within the DDA district. Limited funds are available for new projects for Spring 2021. Grants will only be awarded to projects approved by the DDA prior to the start of work. Applications are due by 4pm Friday, grants March 12, 2021. For an application or information: email Pat Sanderson at [email protected] or phone (906) 387-1110.

Our office with the help of Mike Stockwell of Cranking Graphics has been creating a new website for Chamber partner, the Upper Peninsula Economic Development Alliance. The UPEDA provides a forum for its members to connect to accom- plish economic development activities in our . Our members work together to share information, provide ongoing education, and support businesses and entrepreneurial growth across the region. Its membership consists of private companies, utilities and local and regional economic development agencies throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Our office teamed up with the Munising Visitors Bureau and Cameron Media to create “The 12 Days of Rekindle”. In December – three to seven- minute videos featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, Ebenezer Scrooge, and more, streamed on our website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page. Those who tuned in got the chance to learn how to decorate gingerbread cookies, make traditional crafts, listen to holiday stories, and participate in other activities to celebrate the season. Filming took place over the course of two days at Gal- lery Coffee Company, which is housed in the historic Sam Marks building along Elm Avenue. Last year dur- ing Rekindle, Gallery Coffee hosted a singing competi- tion that was well attended and had participants from all over the U.P. The coffeehouse and gallery has a gor- geous performance stage that was perfect for filming the 12 Days of Rekindle. The Rekindle Grand Giveaway event was also modified. Instead of people saving their receipts from local estab- lishments and turning them into the Chamber for a chance to win prizes, gift certificates were given sponta- neously to customers outside of various Alger County businesses after they got done shopping.

6 The Munising DDA Business Decorating Contest

1st place: South Bay Outfitters 2nd place: Driftwood Deli/ ByGeorge Brewing Company 3rd place: Peoples State Bank

7 A large mural depicting a real-life still bust 2020 Year in Review in Prohibition-era Munising was installed last year on the east side of the former Corktown Bar build- ing at 109 Elm Ave. The mural shows two Michigan state troopers, Alger County Sheriff Frank Runsat, Frank’s two sons, Lawrence and Robert, and an unidentified small child, standing near still equip- ment after a booze raid around 90 years ago. Frank, a Swedish immigrant, was also the one- time owner of Munising Bottling Works and ironi- cally, Runsat's Tavern. By using a historic photograph as reference, Mike Stockwell of Cranking Graphics designed the mu- ral, which was then built and installed by Signs Now of Negaunee Township. Funds for the project came from the Munising Downtown Development Authority, Alger County Chamber of Commerce/Greater Munising Bay Partnership, an Art Place grant, and other grant monies. The Chamber’s 2020 Scholarship

Rikki Ake and Carly Lindquist were the 2020 recipients of the Alger County Chamber of Com- merce’s Scholarship. Each recipient received $500. Scholarships are awarded to persons of any Carly age and educational endeavor planning to attend an accredited higher education program/institution. The potential or current students may either be pursuing an undergraduate education or a graduate program Rikki and must be an Alger County resident with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Rikki has worked as a Medical Laboratory Technician for the past 10 Years at Munising Memorial Hospital and is pursuing a bachelor's degree from University as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist which will allow her to further her career as well as perform more advanced testing methodologies. “I enjoy working behind the scenes in the Lab as it is a challenging but highly rewarding experience,” she said. Carly Lindquist will be attending Michigan Technological University in the fall to pursue a degree in Chemical En- gineering. “When I'm not studying you will find me out exploring the Keweenaw Peninsula! I am very thankful for this scholarship and it will allow me to further my education and start my career,” she said. 8 MARITIME MUNISING

After months of brainstorming with local historians, a graphic designer, and staff from our office, Maritime Munising was installed in September by Signs Now of Negaunee. Just south of Munising Avenue, 12 tall panels now line the alley between Maple and Birch streets showcasing historical aspects of what it was once like in the Munising area many years ago. The 6-foot-tall installations feature lighthouse living, legendary shipwrecks, fishing, logging operations and so forth. Although there are brief descriptions located on the panels, there’s a greater story behind each one waiting to be unraveled. Those interested can visit the Chamber/Partnership’s new Arts and Culture page on its website. The page not only features information about the new maritime alley but also includes other placemaking projects that have taken place in Alger County the last few years. A QR code can also be found on some of the panels which takes app users directly to the website’s new page so people can read more about the panels while they’re standing in front of them. Mike Stockwell of Cranking Graphics, created the installations by using old photographs as reference. The photos were provided by Duane Hargis of the Alger County Heritage Museum, staff from Glass Bottom Shipwreck Tours, and the National Park Service. Funding for the project came from an ArtPlace grant, a CUPPAD Prosperous Places grant, the Munising DDA, and the Chamber/Partnership.

9 ART IN THE ALLEY

In conjunction with Maritime Munising, Signs Now also installed a new sign for the Munising Art in the Alley, located between Elm Avenue and Maple Street. During one of our virtual meetings with Mike Stockwell of Cranking Graphics, we asked if he could design something for the alley since people often ask how the project came to be. So, Mike crafted a beautiful sign explaining just that.

10 More than 12,000 people voted in MyNorth’s 2020 Red Hot Best competition, with many Alger County businesses and attractions placing. Click here to see the list!

Photo courtesy of MyNorth/ Traverse Magazine

Several grants and loans have be- come available over the last several months for businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Our office has helped applicants throughout Alger County with the process of several of them.

Michigan Small Business Relief Program More than 2,700 Michigan small businesses were awarded a total of $10 million in grants through the Michigan Small Business Relief Program in March. An additional 74 businesses have been awarded $4.35 million in the first round of low-interest loans. Launched to provide relief for small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, the program supports small businesses facing drastic reductions in cash flow and the continued support of their workforce. The 15 county region of the Upper Peninsula received $500,000 to be administered among businesses located throughout all counties. Our office was in charge of overseeing our county’s grant process including assisting 60 busi- nesses in the grant process. Seven received funding. Competition was stiff across the U.P. with a limited amount of funding. Ten thousand was the cap for each business to receive. INVEST U.P. was the fiduciary, but each local econom- ic development office was the contact person for that county. Each office across the U.P. has worked closely and exten- sively together throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Match on Main The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Match on Main Program provided up to $50,000 to local downtown management organizations throughout the state to administer to eligible small businesses located in traditional commercial districts, including downtowns, neighborhood and commercial districts, or areas planned and zoned for concentrated commercial development. Our office assisted 16 applicants with the process, unfortunately, as funding was stiff only one regional entity was selected, which had many applicants.

11 Through the Michigan Small Business Restart Program grant, $100 million was dispersed to businesses throughout the state, with the Upper Peninsula receiving $4,545,455. This recovery grant was made available by the Michigan Economic Develop- ment Corporation. Funds were appropriated through the CARES Act and authorized by the Michigan Strategic Fund to be administered by 15 economic development organiza- tions across the state. The MEDC anticipates that more than 5,000 businesses across the state will benefit from this program. Locally, allocated funds were administered through InvestUP – a regional economic development organization representing all of the U.P. At least 30 percent of the funds awarded under the program were provided to women-owned, minority-owned or veteran- owned eligible businesses. Applicants were allowed to apply for up to $20,000 in grant funds. As the economic development office for Alger County, the Greater Munising Bay Partnership helped 55 business apply for the Restart grant. Thirty businesses were awarded grants, totaling $133,860. The following Alger County businesses received grants:

Brownstone Inn Hiawatha Log Homes Case Country Farms Terrace Motel ByGeorge Brewing Company Husky Haven Kennels Falling Rock Café & Bookstore Pictured Rocks Golf & Country Club Tanglewood Inn Driftwood Deli Harbour View Assisted Living New Moon Tavern Pictured Rocks Inn & Suites Dairy Queen & Fireflies Gift Shop Silver Dollar Bar Miss Good Stitch Bowerman Funeral Home Health Quest of Alger County Ashley Webster Catering Munising Flower Shop East Channel Brewing Company Gerou Excavating Inc. The Munising News Dr. Patronik, DDS Stylistics Our Perch Upper Peninsula Inspired The Donut Diner Munising Motel Munising Bowl 12