9/11/2025

IRONWOOD – Invest U.P. waying on the recent announcement of OB/GYN services being discontinued at Aspirus Ironwood forcing pregnant women to drive nearly an hour to Ashland to safely deliver their babies.  Invest U.P. says in a press release that this is a painful reminder of the dire impact of the dwindling population in the Western UP.  This news comes just over one year after Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital shut down in April 2024.  Invest U.P. says the recent announcement shows the need for the Copperwood Project in Wakefield Township to attract jobs and infrastructure growth.  Invest U.P. says a recent $50 million infrastructure grant requested by Wakefield Township will help attract transformational economic development investments like the Copperwood Project while supporting critical industries like forestry and timber.  The grant is sponsored by Rep. Greg Markkanen, who says the grant will help Wakefield Township make infrastructure improvements and upgrades that it could not make on its own and is supported by Wakefield Township Supervisor Mandy Lake, who says “Unfortunately, our population has steadily declined over the years and we don’t have the workforce needed to maintain critical services. This grant gives us the opportunity to invest in our community and attract the type of economic development projects that will give us a future.” The Copperwood project is one of very few fully permitted greenfield copper mines in the United States and meets the strict environmental standards established by the State of Michigan. Michigan’s mining laws, passed with the support of environmental advocacy groups, are regarded as one of the most stringent mining regulations in the nation.  Those against the Copperwood Project say the mine will cause irreparable harm to the Porcupine Mountains and Lake Superior.