• Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
Clear

Marquette
Clear 59°

Partly Cloudy

Escanaba
Partly Cloudy 59°

Clear

Houghton
Clear 64°

Clear

Iron Mountain
Clear 61°

Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result

Michigan Budget Leaves Out $50 Million Wakefield-Copperwood Mine Infrastructure Grant

by Sophia Murphy
October 9, 2025
A A

LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan’s newly approved $81 billion state budget leaves out a proposed $50 million infrastructure grant that would have supported road and utility upgrades near the Copperwood Mine in Wakefield Township, a decision drawing sharply different reactions across the Upper Peninsula.

Supporters of the project say the funding was critical to sparking long-term economic growth in Michigan’s western U.P., while environmental advocates are celebrating the move as a major victory for grassroots activism.

InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante said the omission isn’t a defeat, but another step in a long process.

“Having been involved in this work for 22 years, you understand that this process is never linear,” Fittante said. “All this has done for us is to further motivate us to explore all opportunities to ensure that this project, which is so needed, is built at the end of the day.”

He said regional leaders remain united behind the project, which they see as essential to stabilizing a declining population and diversifying the local economy.

“The Upper Peninsula is built on resiliency,” he said. “It’s what SISU is all about. We’re going to stay in the game and ensure that at the end of the day, this mine with all of the good-paying jobs that it brings is built.”

Environmental advocates, meanwhile, say the legislature made the right call.
Jane Fitkin, director of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior, said she feels encouraged and empowered by the outcome.

“It really shows the power of the people and our ability to make our voices heard,” Fitkin said. “This is the third time we’ve defeated this funding. Hopefully we don’t have to do it many more times, but we’re prepared to continue to fight it.”

Fitkin called the funding a corporate handout for a foreign-owned company and said the $50 million could instead be used to support local tourism and small businesses.

“We’d love to see funding go toward supporting the community of Wakefieldnot, extending roads and utilities 15 miles into the wilderness just to serve the mine,” she said.

The Copperwood Mine, owned by Highland Copper, is fully permitted but still lacks funding for major infrastructure work, including the repaving of County Road 519 and utility extensions to the site.

While the grant didn’t make it into the final 2026 budget, both sides expect the debate to continue. Fittante said supporters are already looking for other avenues to fund the project, while Fitkin said her group is ready to fight any future attempts to revive the proposal.

Get WZMQ 19 anytime, anywhere

Download the app

AppleAndroid

Watch on TV

RokuFire TVZeam

Connect on social media

FacebookTwitterInstagram

More

News

Marquette man convicted of six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct

October 9, 2025
There have been reports of feral pigs causing damages to farms in northeastern Wisconsin.
News

DNR says watch out for feral swine

October 8, 2025
We have tours that leave every 10 minutes from the museum parking lot, and they go all around Lighthouse Park
News

The “Ghosts of Lighthouse Point”

October 8, 2025
There's more to understanding business than what's learned in the classroom.
News

Dress and dine for success

October 8, 2025
The Northern Michigan University Presidential Search Advisory Committee is now more than halfway through its process for choosing a new president.
News

Search for NMU president continues

October 8, 2025
News

Escanaba ballot proposal would put gas utility proceeds toward unfunded pension liabilities

October 8, 2025
Next Post

Bay CC Volleyball earns home win over Montcalm CC

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Events
  • Programming
  • Station
WZMQ CBS | 19 News

© 2025 WZMQ, LLC | FCC Public File | EEO Report

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our privacy policy.