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Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau drives local economic growth in the Copper Country

CALUMET — When thousands of people make their way to the Keweenaw Peninsula annually, locals may simply see them as temporary visitors. They notice them eating at their favorite restaurants, exploring local history, and racing down the bike trails. After their vacation ends, they’re gone. But the truth is they’ve made more of an impact on the local economy than some may think. According to the state of Michigan estimates from 2019, tourists spent a combined $95 million visiting Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. The dollars put toward lodging and non-lodging businesses like ...

Bergman leads fight against IRS guidance punishing small business owners with families

WASHINGTON - Rep. Jack Bergman sent a letter to the IRS opposing recent guidance discriminating against business owners with families and demanding immediate action to change this misguided rule. On Aug. 4, the IRS issued guidance on the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) – a refundable tax credit that has helped thousands of businesses avoid laying off employees since the start of the pandemic. Rep. Bergman supported the creation of the ERC as part of the CARES Act in March of 2020. Unfortunately, the recent IRS guidance makes it so that wages to business owners or their spouses only ...

National Mine veteran named 2021 U.P. Veteran of the Year

CARNEY — C. William “Bill” Hagar has been selected as the 2021 U.P. Veteran of the Year. The Marquette County Veterans Alliance nominated Bill to receive this award. The selection committee consists of U.P. and State Commanders from throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan representing all military organizations. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-67. In 1977, he joined the U.S. Army serving from 1977-93 with the 107th Engineers, Active Guard Reserve retiring as a highly decorated Master Sergeant (E-8). During his time in the military, Bill earned the Army Service Ribbon; ...

Calumet Electronics names chief technology officer to lead next-generation technologies

CALUMET ― Calumet Electronics has elevated its commitment to producing on-shore, next-generation printed circuit boards for the American electronics industry with the appointment of Dr. Meredith LaBeau as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Naming a CTO is an essential step in strengthening Calumet's corporate structure and advancing its business strategy. Chief Technology Officer is an executive-level position focused on internal and external science and technology advancement. "Dr. LaBeau has consistently led advanced technology development for Calumet Electronics and the American ...

Attorney General Nessel calls for faster implementation of anti-robocall technology

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight back against the scourge of illegal robocalls by moving up the deadline for smaller telephone companies to implement caller ID technology. Attorney General Nessel joined a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general in submitting comments to the FCC. "This caller ID technology will be an essential and useful tool in helping consumers feel confident about who is on the other end of the line when they answer a call,” Nessel said. “I am urging the FCC to accelerate the ...

Thirteen area volunteer emergency services departments receive grants

Portage Health Foundation is proud to announce it has committed more than $50,000 to local volunteer emergency service departments throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. “This is the first year we’ve offered this 50-50 style of grant to volunteer life-saving organizations, and the response was exactly what we hoped it would be,” Executive Director Kevin Store said. “We’re helping these groups invest in new technology, upgrade equipment and bring in new items that will help keep our community safe." In total, 13 projects were funded. Each project ...