GOGEBIC RANGE - New statewide polling conducted by EPIC-MRA shows a majority (71%) of voters across Michigan support the Copperwood Project in the Western Upper Peninsula. The polling demonstrates statewide support, especially in Northern, Western and Central Michigan as well as the Bay Region. Among supporters, their strongest reasons for backing the project is because it has strong support from the local community, will follow Michigan’s strict environmental mining regulations and will create hundreds of good-paying jobs and restore economic opportunity in a region that has experienced decades of economic decline. Polling shows that while Michiganders appreciate the jobs and economic opportunities, 46% of respondents have some concern about the project’s impact on the environment. After consideration of environmental factors, support for the project remained high, with 61% of respondents in favor. Twenty-two units of government, ranging from townships to county boards have issued resolutions of support, nearly 10 local institutions have submitted letters of support and dozens of community leaders have spoken publicly in support. This includes Wakefield Township, Ironwood Township and Gogebic County where the project resides. The Copperwood Project has also received continuous bipartisan support from local, state and federal leaders, including Senator Elissa Slotkin, Congressman Jack Bergman and all four Upper Peninsula state legislators.
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GOGEBIC RANGE - Michigan’s Strategic Fund Board will meet this week to consider, for a third time, roughly $50 million in state incentives for the proposed Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County. The project has failed twice before — first in a state Senate committee, then when funding was removed from the 2025 state budget. Canadian developer Highland Copper says the mine could create about 380 permanent jobs and 300 construction jobs. Supporters say it could generate more than $120 million in state and local tax revenue. Opponents cite environmental concerns, including the mine’s proximity to Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The meeting will determine whether the state adds new conditions, including private fundraising requirements, and whether the proposal can gain support after being rejected twice.
N. WISCONSIN / U.P - Gas prices in Michigan dropped 11 cents per gallon for unleaded fuel in the past week. The average cost of a gallon of unleaded gas in Michigan is $4.16 according to the triple A auto club which is down 11 cents from a week ago, down 10 cents from a month ago, but still 85 cents higher than this time last year. Ironwood prices at $4.22 a gallon this morning, Hurley 16 cents lower at $4.06. Around the region Ontonagon prices at $4.26, Watersmeet $4.17, Ashland $4.14, Mellen $4.09, Minocqua $4.07, Glidden $4.05, The lowest price we could find was in Park Falls $3.94 a gallon.
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