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HANCOCK - A former hospital site is now seeing the birth and growth of a number of exciting new businesses.

The Jutila Center opened its doors in 2005. The building, formerly Portage View Hospital (now Portage Health), had been vacant since Portage Health opened its new site in 2000.

Funding for the Jutila Center came from a mix of the Lily Jutila estate, donations and grants totaling $2.5 million. Four of the building's nine floors were renovated.

"The purpose of the renovation was so they could open a big incubator and create jobs for the community," said manager Bonnie Holland.

Finlandia University's International School of Art & Design is also located in the building, with 80 students. They've collaborated with local companies on projects such as the redesign of the Marsin Center, a building owned by the Keweenaw Land Trust.

Four tenants have graduated from the incubator, relocating in spots such as Hancock and Houghton's downtowns.

"These are all good strong

companies when you walk in the door," she said. "We offer them an environment where they can grow faster. ..."

The MTEC SmartZone filled its available space on the SmartZone's fourth floor last year, when Extreme Tools, Inc. and Hawk Technologies, Inc. moved in.

The company is divided equally between CAD design, product design and development, and its newest function, high-tech product assembly.

The company has nine full-time employees right now. Operations Manager Elizabeth Tolsdorf said they're hoping to expand, but in a sustainable manner.

"We want these jobs to be here for a very, very long time, so we want these to be long-term, good-paying jobs, as opposed to many low-paying jobs," she said.

Hawk Technologies was already a Jutila Center veteran, having had two offices downstairs since 2005.

"This has been wonderful, absolutely wonderful that we have all this room," said Tolsdorf.

As of March, there were 18 companies with 35 employees at the Jutila Center, not counting the SmartZone or the design school. The lower floors are almost at capacity.

This summer, an EDA grant will fund the renovation of the sixth and seventh floors, adding 20 more suites of various sizes. The space can be used by new incoming businesses, or SmartZone companies looking to expand.

In keeping with companies' most common requests, there's good Internet access and security.

"And the best view of the Portage Canal on the north bank," Holland said.

Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.