As the snow piles up to the window and begins to block your view outside, and with cabin fever threatening to set it, now might be a time to look forward to what’s coming to the greater Copper Country this year — in addition to more snow.

Taking a longer view to a time when the snow goes away, there are numerous projects pending that will pump some economic development lifeblood into the region during 2017:

Baraga County

•A new utility called the Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation is planning to build $255 million energy center to provide locally generated electric service to parts of the U.P., which is expected to provide $1 million to local taxing bodies.

•After receiving ownership of the old Pelkie elementary school, Keweenaw Bay Community College will enhance its educational offerings by converting the building into an agriculture school.

•The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will spend $40 million to renovate its casinos, including the Baraga location.

Ontonagon County

•Even before the snow melts, the 8,200-square-foot Emergency Department expansion and in-patient unit renovation at Aspirus-Ontonagon Hospital is expected to be completed in March.

•Improvements planned for the Ontonagon County Airport include an automated weather observing system and clearing four acres of brush to prepare for more airport enhancements in the future.

Houghton County

•UP Health System is expected to finish construction of its $7 million Calumet clinic that will allow an expansion of services at its 6th Street location, including diagnostics and visiting medical specialists.

•A 21-lot residential subdivision is being developed on the hill behind the Holiday Inn Express in Houghton.

•A new dock will be built at Hancock Beach for recreation users at the Portage Canal.

•Funded by a bond referendum, Chassell Schools will be revamping its parking lot and traffic system, upgrading its security system and improving its skilled trades education building.

•A rehabilitation project for Lakeshire Drive in downtown Houghton will impact the city’s commerce this summer, as the street provides access to parking for businesses and visitors.

Finally, bridge commuters need to brace themselves for the mother of all Keweenaw Peninsula road projects: Reconstruction of Front Street from the Portage Lake Lift Bridge to Reservation Street in Hancock.

The piled-up snow doesn’t look so bad now, does it?

A Daily Mining Gazette editorial