8/24/2026

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.