Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette One example of Great Lakes Sounds and Vibrations defense manufacturing is this muffler for a U.S. naval ship.

HOUGHTON COUNTY – Since the end of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula, in 1967, science and technology have evolved. Over the past number of years what was, until recently, referred to as the Copper Country, has begun to catch up with that evolution, as more and more local companies are engaged in high-tech engineering, design and manufacturing, including those dedicated to the defense industry. Among the first was Calumet Electronics, Inc.

Calumet Electronics was established in 1968 to create economic opportunities in the Copper Country after the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company ended mining.

In Oct. 2023, the company announced it had established itself as one of the most important domestic printed circuit board suppliers with its introduction of America’s smallest, lightest, fastest PCB (Printed Circuit Boards). These groundbreaking technologies have the ability to power the future of aerospace for the nation. It was developing “next-generation technology” to advance commercial aerospace, satellite, space and Department of Defense (DoD) systems. The company is currently building America’s most advanced substrate factory. It is also establishing secure, on-shored PCB supply chains, highlighting the critical nature of its products for defense and national security. The company continues to receive Department of Defense backing and is focusing on advanced microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing, partnering with firms like KLA to improve substrate production yields.

In February, 2025, Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist was in Houghton to announce two expansion projects in Houghton County representing 90 new jobs and more than $10 million in capital investment. One was Great Lakes Sounds and Vibration (GLSV). The second was Luokus Technologies.

GLSV, located at the Houghton County Memorial Airport Industrial Airpark, was awarded $400,000 from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) through a Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant. The investment supports additional growth for projects with the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force in addition to many other contractors that build tanks, trucks, ship and aircraft for the Defense Department.

The second expansion was Luokus Technologies, in Calumet Township. Founded in 2018, Loukus Technologies expanded its operations into a building next to its current facility, which houses their machining, finishing, packaging and shipping operations. This expansion was necessary to increase production capacity to meet rising demand in the defense and energy sectors, and to fulfill newly awarded business contracts to design, manufacture, and deliver a device that is used to improve efficiency in the oil and gas industry.

On Friday, Great Lakes Sounds & Vibrations (GLSV) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of an $8.5 million, 26,000 square-foot expansion to its manufacturing facilities located in Franklin Township. The expansion will allow the company to consolidate their manufacturing operations at one location to more efficiently support existing and future contracts with the U.S. Defense Department.

David Rowe, MTEC SmartZone CEO, at a recent leadership conference in Houghton, pointed out the wide variety of businesses in companies across the Keweenaw today.

“”This is a mixture of companies throughout the western U.P. We have main street small businesses, entrepreneurs who are just launching their businesses,” Rowe said. “It may be a pizza shop. They may be a floor sander, or a contractor, all the way up to high-tech companies like Orbion Space Technologies, Loukus Technologies, high-tech manufacturers, high-tech service companies, Steelhead Technologies, software engineers.”

Steve Mattson, GLSV CEO, also spoke at the ceremony. “We’re a defense manufacturing company focused on engineering, prototyping, and producing systems that support the platforms relied on by our sailors and soldiers around the globe, but at our core, we’re a local company,” he said. “We employ skilled trades, engineers and business professionals from this region. We work with local suppliers and other small businesses. And we’re committed to building long-term careers and opportunities right here in this community. If fact, it’s our stated purpose.”

The expansion, said Mattson, is important to GLSV.

“But more importantly, it represents continued investment in this community, in our workforce, and the future of defense manufacturing here in Michigan.”

Vicki Schwab, managing director of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, spoke at the ceremony, addressing Mattson.

“What you’re doing here today is critical work as we look to advance Michigan’s defense sector,” Schwab said. “And it is being done through creativity, leadership, vision, and you’re protecting our nation’s homeland as well.”

U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman, who also spoke, said: “What we have here are two things: A great environment to live in and work, and do the things that provide the products for the future that are going to keep up moving forward as country that makes things.”

Michigan has always made things, Bergman said, adding: “You’re the21st century example of that in one small way.”

David Rowe, MTEC SmartZone CEO, at a recent leadership conference in Houghton, pointed out the wide variety of businesses in companies across the Keweenaw today.

“”This is a mixture of companies throughout the western U.P. We have main street small businesses, entrepreneurs who are just launching their businesses,” Rowe said. “It may be a pizza shop. They may be a floor sander, or a contractor, all the way up to high-tech companies like Orbion Space Technologies, Loukus Technologies, high-tech manufacturers, high-tech service companies, Steelhead Technologies, software engineers.”