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History

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  • 2012 - Community focus groups were conducted to address concerns about the opening of Eagle Mine, a new nickel and copper mine in Marquette County, Michigan.  The mine would create several hundred jobs during its operation (2014 to 2025), but these positions would be eliminated at the time of the mine’s closure. This could have a negative impact on the local job market and the economic vitality of the community. The intent of the focus groups was to solicit feedback from local stakeholders on strategies to support the economic vitality of the community post mine closure. One outcome of this feedback was the decision to implement a community initiative to support the development of entrepreneurial start-ups and small businesses, which would create more jobs and enhance the economic outlook for the region.

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  • 2013 - This community initiative was formalized through the creation of Accelerate UP, as a 501(c)6 non-profit corporation.

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  • 2016 - Recognizing the value of the program, Eagle Mine extended the funding agreement with Accelerate UP through 2029.

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  • 2018 - The Lundin Foundation commissioned a scoping study with the University of Wisconsin-Stout Applied Research Center to analyze the effectiveness of Accelerate UP. The results of the assessment framework can be found HERE and the Final Evaluation Report can be found HERE.

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  • 2023 - Accelerate UP partnered with local economic development organizations, led by the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP), to secure a $3,426,015 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This funding established the Central Upper Peninsula Small Business Support Hub (SBSH), covering seven counties. Accelerate UP contributed one-third of the grant writer’s cost for the application.​ 

    • The grant strengthens Accelerate UP’s mission by expanding support services, addressing capacity limitations, and advancing strategic goals. It funds key positions, including a Business Navigator for personalized coaching and a Strategic Operations and Marketing Coordinator to enhance efficiency, outreach, and impact.

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