A special joint meeting of both Hancock and Houghton City Councils took place April 3rd, 2024 in the Lakeshore Center in Houghton. The managers of both cities as well as the CEO of MTEC SmartZone delivered reports.

• David Rowe: CEO of the MTEC SmartZone
  • The Jutila Center has been renamed to the 'Skyline Commons'
    • MTEC now owns the 4th floor and intends to continue operations there
  • The Powerhouse is now "100% occupied" by Orbion Space Technologies
  • MTEC is going to be receiving $3.4 million in federal grant money over the next three years to develop 'Advanced Materials and Manufacturing' businesses
    • They are anticipating 5-6 companies in the "first cohort"
  • MTEC has identified a need for a 30,000 square foot "flexible-use high-bay facility"
    • Will be conducting a feasibility study
    • Is working to secure an 'anchor tenant' for the new facility
  • Revex (a local startup incubated by MTEC) secured an $8.1 million grant through the Department of Energy last year
    • Working closely with Eagle Mine to develop their Nickel reclamation technology
• Mary Babcock: Hancock City Manager
  • There has been increased attendance at city events
  • The City has chosen to participate in the Michigan Main Street program
    • Will be sending out surveys to solicit citizen input soon
  • Hancock is working on turning some of the former Finlandia properties into a residential/mixed use, "multi-generational" facility
  • The City continues its work developing the "Business and Tech Park"
  • An 18-hole disc golf course is coming soon
• Eric Waara: Houghton City Manager
  • Looking to install a new mural across from Suomi in collaboration with the University
    • City map currently occupying that wall will likely be relocated
  • The city was awarded $100,000 to study the current transit system
  • After removal of the parking deck still working to address the concerns and needs of affected buildings