Site Updated 2.8.2008

Houghton County has a diversified economic base including manufacturing and service companies making products for national and international markets, including a growing numbers of high-tech firms. Urban-based firms are beginning to locate branch plants in the county to take advantage of the available labor force and the educational resources.

Michigan Technological University, located in the city of Houghton has a student body of 6,300, is the upper Midwest's only public PhD-granting, national ranked technological university and is an important source of research and technical assistance for local businesses. Houghton County is also the home of Finlandia University, a private institution which offers both 2- and 4-year degree programs in a variety of fields including product design and rural business management.

Hardwood forests, mountains and abundant lake and streams characterize Houghton County. Its natural beauty supports a growing tourism industry built around forest- and water-based recreation in the summer, and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. The county is also home to two national parks.

Over 400 acres of Houghton County has been reserved in two different locations to serve as Renaissance Zones. By 2007, 18 companies have been taking advantage of the tax-free incentives that these areas offer.

Houghton County Subzones

Franklin Township Renaissance Zone / Houghton County Airpark

• ThermoAnalytics, Inc.
• Vocational Strategies
• Mercy Ambulance
• Designotype Printers, Inc.
• Neimela Industries
• Blizzard
• Cuda Corporation
• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
• Schwan Sales Enterprise
• Warm Rain
• Great Lakes Plastics
• Bay Engineering, Inc.
• Keweenaw Research Center (KRC)
• Peckham Engineering

Calumet Township Renaissance Zone

• Aramark Uniform Services
• Keweenaw Glass and Door, LLC
• REL Machine
• Superior Polymer Products
• Rippa Products
• Red Jacket Machine

For more information please contact:

Houghton County Renaissance Zone
Phil Musser - Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Executive Director
600 E. Lakeshore Drive
Houghton, MI 49931

Office: 482.6817
Fax: 906.482.3203 fax
pmusser@kedabiz.com
http://www.portup.com/~kic/rz1.htm


Franklin Township / Houghton County Airpark Renaissance Zone
Dennis Hext - Airport Manager
Houghton County Memorial Airport
23810 Airpark Blvd., Suite 113
Calumet, MI 49913

Office: 906.482.3970
Cell: 906.281.0216
Fax: 906.482.3127
dhext@pasty.com

Glenn Ekdahl -Franklin Township Supervisor
PO Box 465
Hancock, MI 49930
906.482.7743
gpekdahl@mtu.edu

Calumet Township Renaissance Zone
Paul Lehto - Calumet Township Supervisor
25880 Red Jacket Rd
Calumet, MI 49913-2906

Office: 906.337.2410
calumetclerk@live.com