Partnership Highlights for February 2026
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on February 25, 2026
LSCP Partners with City of Ishpeming for Match on Main
The LSCP team is honored to continue partnering with the City of Ishpeming to make MEDC’s Match on Main program available to local downtown businesses.
The Match on Main grant program supports place-based businesses looking to strengthen and activate their downtown or commercial corridor locations. Eligible applicants include Michigan-headquartered for-profit or nonprofit businesses with a physical, face-to-face retail or service presence in a downtown, historic neighborhood commercial corridor, or area planned for concentrated mixed-use development. Businesses must have control of their site, provide at least a 10% cash match, and cannot be franchises, big box retailers, marijuana/CBD/tobacco-focused businesses, or prior Match on Main recipients (excluding the COVID-19 Response Program). Grant funds may be used for interior renovations (floors, walls, lighting, code compliance, permanent equipment, furniture, and displays), professional design services (renderings, floor plans, construction drawings), and permanent or semi-permanent outdoor activations such as dining areas or beer gardens, helping businesses create vibrant, welcoming spaces that contribute to a strong downtown environment.
Through our partnership with the City, we help advertise, evaluate, support, and administer this flexible (and very competitive) grant. It’s the original partnership that sparked our growth in the grant-support services arena, something you’ll see continue to expand throughout 2026 as we build our capacity to help local businesses and communities navigate an increasingly competitive grant landscape. While the LSCP is directly administering only the Ishpeming application, businesses in Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Marquette are all eligible for the grant. You can learn more at the link below.
Fun fact: the 2024 City of Ishpeming recipient, Doozers, was recently highlighted in statewide media for the impact of its Match on Main project. Check it out on Facebook here.
Recap: UP 200 Brings Thousands Together, LSCP Events Bridge Connections
In our last Partnership Highlights, we previewed the busy event agenda around the UP 200, powered by the LSCP team. These events drew packed crowds, with many new connections formed and long-standing relationships strengthened through a shared appreciation for what our region has to offer. From current federal and state officials to candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, all eyes were on the opportunities and needs of Marquette County and the greater U.P. region.
Managing hundreds of RSVPs, coordinating shifting agendas, and overseeing food and beverage logistics is no small task, yet the LSCP team continues to deliver. These efforts coincide with other major initiatives, including Operation Action U.P.’s Annual Meeting. Additionally, team member Brooke Quinn serves on the UP 200 Board and mans an overnight station, further reflecting our team’s deep commitment to the region.
Efforts like these lay the groundwork for the rest of our advocacy work throughout the year. During the events, we highlighted the need to pass HB 4007 and HB 4283 to bring clarity to our use of the Reciprocal Internal Combustion Engine (RICE) natural gas generators, which allowed the area to reduce energy-generation emissions by more than 80% complared to a decade ago. Without that clarity, the U.P. faces extreme increases in energy costs for residents and businesses alike.
We also emphasized the need to ensure rural areas are prioritized for investments from the Rural Health Transformation Fund. Current conversations in Lansing place areas in major urban counties on the same tier as our needs, underscoring the importance of advocating for equitable consideration. We also highlighted potential State Budget investments, including public safety and quality-of-life projects with strong local support.
Advocacy Update: Executive Budget Introduced, State of the State This Week, Housing Readiness Bills Introduced
With the UP 200 now complete, we’re shifting our advocacy focus to preparing for the Ambassadors’ next trip to Lansing and tracking what we expect to be a busy legislative spring.
Early preparations include reviewing the Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendations, released on February 11. We’re still digging into the details, but some economic development highlights of the proposed $88.1 billion budget include:
- Maintaining Business Development & Community Revitalization funding at $59.4 million
- Continuing to invest $50 million in the MSHDA Housing & Community Development Fund
- $150 million in one-time funding for strategic site readiness efforts
- $16 million in ongoing Pure Michigan funding
- Additional investments in special programs such as aerial innovation, advanced manufacturing, and special events
The proposal also maintains higher education funding at current levels, includes a 2.5% per-pupil increase for K-12, continues investment in Pre-K for All, and proposes new healthcare investments to supplement changes from federal H.R. 1 legislation last summer.
This is just the beginning of the conversation. The House and Senate will now hold hearings and pass their own versions of the budget before finalizing a conference committee version. As we’ve mentioned before, we expect the budget to be tight this year based on recent revenue estimates, so our team will be actively monitoring the process and sharing updates here as they develop.
Outside of the budget, I will be joining the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance for the State of the State address on February 25. While the address is the highlight, the meetings throughout the day and evening are where the real work happens to ensure Northern Michigan’s voice is not lost in the conversation. From one-on-one sit-downs with legislators to receptions and working lunches, we’ll be there so you don’t have to travel.
Partnership Highlights is our bi-weekly update for community leaders, local government partners, and key stakeholders, with highlights shared monthly on the LSCP blog to keep the broader community informed on the work shaping prosperous communities across Marquette County.
