As the U.P. of Michigan loses people , Towns have tough choices ahead

[hwytohell]

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/05/17/population/101774148/      Some sledding areas of the U.P. last winter, the leo's writing revenue tickets was flat insane.

[Edmo]

Guys I knew who could survive in these areas had like 5 different jobs. Cut firewood, plow snow, construction, etc. with the cost of living so high now I doubt that will work anymore. And who's going to move there? The schools stink and there's no jobs. This will only get worse.

 

[Jimmy Snacks]

It's really sad IMO...I went to school in Marquette and student taught at Republic-Michigamee Schools in 89-90 and even then things were looking pretty desolate.

[SnowRider]

Should make the majority of it a state park and manage it accordingly. 

[Mileage Psycho]

3 minutes ago, Biggie Smails said:

It's really sad IMO...I went to school in Marquette and student taught at Republic-Michigamee Schools in 89-90 and even then things were looking pretty desolate.

I think that Marquette, Ishpeming/Negaunee are doing OK, definitely better than they were 20-30 years ago.

[Jimmy Snacks]

9 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said:

I think that Marquette, Ishpeming/Negaunee are doing OK, definitely better than they were 20-30 years ago.

Yes those areas will always be in fairly good shape thanks to NMU which has been expanding and renovating. I was up there last August with my  daughter and things are looking good.

Edited May 17, 2017 by Biggie Smails

[f7ben]

Houghton will be ok as well because of the college and the tourist areas should survive ....the rest will continue to be what it is. Its really unfortunate as its a beautiful area and could use some new industry 

[f7ben]

3 hours ago, SnowRider said:

Should make the majority of it a state park and manage it accordingly. 

So dumb its not even worth a comment  

[Highmark]

Smaller govt......hmmmm I might begin looking into a winter place up there again.   

Manufacturing there doesn't make sense because of the increased shipping distances.  The economy will always be based on tourism and the natural resources of the area.   Sucks but that's the nature of it.

There are area's all over the country that face the same economic challenges based on geography.  

Edited May 17, 2017 by Highmark

[Anler]

Need casinos and prostitutes to bring back the economy!

[Skidooski]

Just now, Anler said:

Need casinos and prostitutes to bring back the economy!

Sure wouldn't be high end prostitutes up there. More like Rent a Snow Cow for an hour

[Anler]

3 minutes ago, Skidooski said:

Sure wouldn't be high end prostitutes up there. More like Rent a Snow Cow for an hour

Money will attract some quality pimps and ho's!

[Mainecat]

Trump Tower for the save!

[Skidooski]

7 minutes ago, Anler said:

Money will attract some quality pimps and ho's!

You don't like playing the game "Pick a roll"?  

[Woodtick]

4 hours ago, Mileage Psycho said:

I think that Marquette, Ishpeming/Negaunee are doing OK, definitely better than they were 20-30 years ago.

Holy shit is this area booming,it looks like Schaumburg. Same with Houghton/ Hancock.

[Highmark]

Geographically there are places all over the country facing the same problems.   3/4 of Wyoming is that way.   If it doesn't have tourism or mineral exploration its a ghost town.  Why is it so hard to accept that there will be places in the upper midwest with economic challenges.  

Edited May 17, 2017 by Highmark

[hwytohell]

Some years ago Toyota purchased property in Ludington MI , had the old rail road buildings removed , except the tracks an spur lines, along with soil testing . Rumors were flying around about what might happen.  Before their plan was presented to the city council , two well versed groups protested on / in front of the now vacant site, made the local / state news. The land is still vacant an now for sale.  Same issue in the U.P. , many federal / state properties left to rot , with no clear vision what to do with them. Former K I Sawyer A.F. base is nothing but a shit hole of low life  druggies / five finger discount experts an single mother  pin cushions. Seems in the U.P. if you have a fed or state job you are okay, everybody else is in for tough sledding.

[Woodtick]

I like how they keep mentioning Trout Creek. There hasn't been anything going on in that town in over 50 years. A bunch of untillable farm land is all that is there. 

[Woodtick]

5 minutes ago, hwytohell said:

Some years ago Toyota purchased property in Ludington MI , had the old rail road buildings removed , except the tracks an spur lines, along with soil testing . Rumors were flying around about what might happen.  Before their plan was presented to the city council , two well versed groups protested on / in front of the now vacant site, made the local / state news. The land is still vacant an now for sale.  Same issue in the U.P. , many federal / state properties left to rot , with no clear vision what to do with them. Former K I Sawyer A.F. base is nothing but a shit hole of low life  druggies / five finger discount experts an single mother  pin cushions. Seems in the U.P. if you have a fed or state job you are okay, everybody else is in for tough sledding.

Not true. I have a lot of friends up there. Skilled labor pays $25 an hour and there are jobs to be had. There is a shit ton of peaple up there that choose not to work. Every business owner I know complains about the lack of good help.

[hwytohell]

What I hear is that most can't pass a employment background check / drug screen or have a valid  drivers license. Agree that jobs are there paying more than minimum wage , but most persons today have no alarm clock or any sense of work ethic.

[Highmark]

24 minutes ago, hwytohell said:

What I hear is that most can't pass a employment background check / drug screen or have a valid  drivers license. Agree that jobs are there paying more than minimum wage , but most persons today have no alarm clock or any sense of work ethic.

^^^This^^^ doesn't help either.   Good post.  

[Rigid1]

29 minutes ago, hwytohell said:

What I hear is that most can't pass a employment background check / drug screen or have a valid  drivers license. Agree that jobs are there paying more than minimum wage , but most persons today have no alarm clock or any sense of work ethic.

when you get paid more not to work, why work??

We have hired 3 people on a friday over the past 3 weeks, to start monday morning 8am..Think any of them called or showed up for work??

[Highmark]

49 minutes ago, Rigid1 said:

when you get paid more not to work, why work??

We have hired 3 people on a friday over the past 3 weeks, to start monday morning 8am..Think any of them called or showed up for work??

Well 8am is kind of early.   

[Zambroski]

5 minutes ago, Highmark said:

Well 8am is kind of early.   

Fuck!  Rigid, you wanted them there by 8am?  I may have found your problem.  Noon-ish is the new 8am for the next generation of hard charging, boot strappers.  Or, did you not give them all management titles?  

[Boered]

Looks like a great chance to retire up there for anyone ready in the next five years. Real Estate prices will crash hard and if you cash out of a city life could be great. it really is a great area and has it all.