Michigan approves $50 million for Copperwood Mine infrastructure

The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved $50 million in state funding to support infrastructure for the Copperwood Mine project, located in the Wakefield and Ironwood townships of Gogebic County.

Of the total amount, approximately $44.9 million will be allocated to Highland Copper to fund power, internet, and communication lines. An additional $5 million is designated for the Gogebic County Road Commission to repair roads near the site, while $7.5 million will be used to rebuild a section of County Road 519.

InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante stated that the grant is structured as a reimbursable site readiness grant to protect taxpayers. However, the decision has faced criticism from some lawmakers who argue that the company should not receive taxpayer assistance and that the use of funds originally set aside by the Legislature in 2022 for a different project allows the board to bypass standard legislative review.