Photo courtesy of Village of Laurium Ian Lewis was honored Thursday night for his achievements as village manager since he was hired in 2020.

LAURIUM – Just a week after celebrating his 30th birthday, and three years after being hired, Village Manager Ian Lewis was honored Thursday’s 2026 Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards.

Friday morning, the village posted on its Facebook page: “The Village of Laurium would like to extend our sincere congratulations and appreciation for this well-deserved recognition.”

Lewis’ accomplishments were recommended by a village employee.

“I nominated him,” Office clerk and Deputy Treasurer Megan Jackman said. “For me it’s a no-brainer. I started working for the village here in Nov. 2024, and just to physically witness with my own two eyes all things that have happened in such a short amount of time by someone who wasn’t even 30. He just turned 30 on March 4th.”

Jackman said Lewis was hired as village manager at the age of 26, to manage the village, the police department, the fire department and the Department of Public Works.

“I mean, other municipalities call and ask Ian’s advice on things,” said Jackman.

The Facebook post, created by a Village Council member, says over the past year, “Ian has helped lead our community through both challenge and progress. From the devastating Laurium Public Works fire on February 5, 2025, to continuing forward with major community improvements, his dedication to the Village has never wavered.”

Under his leadership, the post continues, Laurium has seen incredible redevelopment and investment in community spaces. The George Gipp Recreation Area now features three new horseshoe pits, a new ADA-accessible splash pad, a concession shed, indoor pickleball courts, a new ice plant system for the arena, and a community garden space. In addition, construction of the Village’s new Public Works Building is well underway and expected to open later this year.”

A 2018 and 2022 graduate of Northern Michigan University, NMU recognized Lewis as the NMU Outstanding Graduate Student in Political Science NMU Alumni Award last year.

“This recognition reflects not only Ian’s dedication but also the resilience and collaboration of our entire community,” NMU’s Alumni Relations page says. “The progress Laurium has made over the past year is a testament to what can happen when a community works together through difficult times.”

Lewis has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have stabilized the village’s finances and revitalized its infrastructure, the NMU webpage says. In less than two years, he grew the general fund from $16,000 to over $500,000 and secured more than $1.5 million in grant funding for essential municipal projects. Additionally, Lewis led the village’s recovery efforts for an approximate $4.9 million loss after it had lost all of its snow removal equipment and its public works garage due to a devastating village fire in February 2025. His leadership has not only improved public services and safety, but it has also laid the groundwork for Laurium’s long-term growth through strategic planning and development of the village’s first-ever Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Parks and Recreation Plan.

“On behalf of the Village Council, staff, and residents,” Laurium’s Facebook post states, “we thank Ian for his leadership, commitment, and passion for Laurium. Congratulations again on this outstanding honor, and thank you for everything you continue to do for our Village.”

NMU went on to recognize Lewis’ community commitment beyond his work with Laurium.

“Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lewis exemplifies civic responsibility and service to Northern Michigan University,” the NMU site states. “He serves as a mentor for the NMU Rural Leadership Fellowship Program, training future leaders in grant writing and municipal planning. His regional engagement includes leadership roles for the Keweenaw Health Foundation and the Laurium Planning Commission, while also being a member of other organizations such as Team Peninsula and the Keweenaw Young Professionals that look at different ways of improving the Keweenaw. Moreover, his dedication to youth and volunteerism is reflected in his various roles, including local hockey official for the Calumet Hockey Association, lead planner for Laurium’s parks and recreation redevelopment efforts, adjunct professor at Gogebic Community College, and guest speaker at Michigan Tech University.”