Central U.P. Small Business Support Hub Awards $108,703 to Local Businesses in Fourth Grant Cycle

Posted by on January 15, 2026

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2025

 

Central U.P. Small Business Support Hub Awards $108,703 to Local Businesses in Fourth Grant Cycle

Central U.P., MI – The Central Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub (the HUB) has awarded $108,703 to 15 small businesses across the Upper Peninsula, marking the successful completion of its fourth Direct Grant cycle. Combined with the first three cycles, the HUB has now distributed $422,250 in grant funds to support 74 small businesses across the region.

The HUB is a collaboration of regional economic development organizations, with the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) serving as the coordinating entity. These collaborating organizations are dedicated to empowering small businesses by providing resources, guidance, and funding to foster economic growth in the Upper Peninsula. Throughout the program, more than $400,000 will be awarded in direct grants to eligible businesses that work with their county’s designated Small Business Resource Navigator and participate in at least one HUB program, event, or service within six months prior to the award.

“The Hub gives small businesses a front door to resources that can be hard to navigate on their own,” said Christopher Germain, LSCP CEO. “From grants and technical assistance to one-on-one support and regional partnerships, this program is designed to meet businesses where they are and help them move forward with confidence. We encourage entrepreneurs across the seven counties to connect with a Navigator and see what is possible.”

The fourth grant cycle supported a diverse range of competitive small businesses. Awards were distributed as follows:

Alger County

  • Maple Lake Farm LLC
  • J and H Forest Farm
  • Rustic Grounds Coffee Co

Baraga County

  • Balanced Hope, LLC

Delta County

  • The Water Lily Gifts & Gather, LLC
  • Maple Ridge Graphics

Dickinson County

  • Revival Company LLC

Marquette County

  • Andersen Handyman Services LLC
  • Iron Arrow Stables LLC
  • Campfire Coffee Roasters Inc
  • Upper Peninsula Brewing Company

Menominee County

  • Hayward Custom Sawing LLC

Schoolcraft County

  • Fresh Coast Septic LLC
  • Mercier Ventures LLC DBA The Hive on Cedar
  • Auntie Em’s Joy LLC
  • The Mustard Seed of Manistique DBA Bostique

 

“We’re thrilled to partner with this latest group of grantees. Each funding cycle has grown more competitive as businesses sharpen their ideas and strengthen their applications—often leveraging The HUB’s Direct Grant Overview and Grant Writing 101 webinars, as well as the feedback they’ve actively sought from their HUB Small Business Resource Navigators and The HUB’s partnering resource providers. This round showcases a diverse mix of small businesses presenting well-crafted projects designed to deliver maximum impact within modest budgets,” said Erica Huss, Small Business Support Hub Project Manager. “By gathering insights from past and current awardees, we continue to enhance the program and expand access to additional resources for all businesses—whether or not they’ve applied for or received grant funding.”

Businesses can find their County’s Small Business Resource Navigator at marquette.org/thehub-contact. Learn more at marquette.org/thehub or follow the Central U.P. Small Business Support Hub on LinkedIn.

About the HUB

In November 2023, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced $73 million in grant awards to establish Small Business Support Hubs across the state. A group of local economic development organizations collaborated to apply for funds and were awarded a total of $3,426,015 over three years to set up and operate the Central Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub (“the HUB”), covering Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, and Schoolcraft counties.

To date, the HUB has awarded $422,250 to 74 small businesses across the Central Upper Peninsula and interacted with 585 businesses through 1:1 consultations, workshops, new resources, and more.

The Hub is made possible through the coordination of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, in collaboration with many partners including Accelerate U.P., Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Northern Michigan University, Small Business Development Center Upper Peninsula Region, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and Sault Tribe Thrive.

Learn more about the Hub at marquette.org/thehub or follow Central U.P. Small Business Support Hub on LinkedIn.

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Prepared by Ashley Szczepanski. For more information, contact the Lake Superior Community Partnership at (906) 226-6591. The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is Marquette County’s local resource for economic development. The LSCP helps our partners make the connections that matter – between businesses, organizations, leaders and legislators, and provides a powerful legislative voice for programs and policies that strengthen our regional economy. More information on the Lake Superior Community Partnership can be found at marquette.org.

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