Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation

06/10/2026

Join us for a Public Workshop to help shape future projects in both downtown commercial districts and the Airport Area District. Learn about eligible improvement categories including: public spaces, business support, infrastructure, and redevelopment tools. Come share your ideas for strengthening our community.

2-hour interactive session Monday, June 15th, 8:30-10:30 a.m. City Hall 225 E. Portage Ave (DDA).

1-hour interactive session Monday, June 15th, 1:00-2:00 p.m. (Airport District)

This is your chance to bring forward project ideas, highlight priorities, and help guide future investments in our town.

Come ready with ideas. Learn how projects can be funded. Help set the direction for implementation.

Your input will directly inform next steps for downtown improvements.

06/08/2026

Join us tomorrow!

Woo hoo! Our Summer Season SMART Session 2026 opener is none other than Nikki Radke from Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation! Register and attend on Zoom!

https://forms.gle/xwiVqewtjPV3w8dV8

06/03/2026

05/30/2026

🎉🎉

A soft grand-opening took place Thursday and Friday to train and prepare employees for their official opening within the next couple of days.

05/28/2026

Here are several opportunities for you to engage with the Small Business Support Hub program in the Eastern UP. Each link has the detail behind the events!

EUP Exchange - June 16, 1-4 pm - https://forms.gle/YukxmeaWeX8ntJgj7

SMART Workshops (all in person) - https://forms.gle/RcTX9VwWCLzNyBGR9
June 17, 8:30 am-noon o'clock, Sault Ste Marie - #8 | Leading Your Legacy, Strategic Business Planning for Small Business Owners

June 18, 1-4:30 pm, Brimley (Bay Mills Indian Community) - #9 | Basic Quickbooks Clinic

July 22, 8:30 am-noon o'clock, Sault Ste Marie - #10 | Operations

August 19, 8:30 am-noon o'clock, St. Ignace - #11 | Financials and Cashflow Mastered-

September 9, 8:30 am-noon o'clock, St. Ignace Library - #12 | Marketing Bootcamp

SMART Sessions (all Zoom) - https://headwatersnorth.org/smart-sessions
June 9-August 11 - Tuesdays from 9-10 am
- Business Incentives for EUP Small Businesses
- Evaluating Your Web Presence
- Quickbooks Clinic
- Prep for Selling to the Government
- Your local SmartZone & Innovation
- Understanding Customer Contracts
- Making a Vision Happen
- Business Planning for Busy People
- Understanding your Public Identity

& more to come

Drop in Business Connect w/Miche, our Grant Liaison - https://calendar.app.google/JAReoVMVntjuLyHn9

05/27/2026

🌟𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is seeking interested and motivated individuals to join the 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐄𝐃𝐂) 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝. This is a chance to play a key role in shaping the economic growth and future of our community.

✅ 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫:

🔹 Community-minded individuals with an interest in economic development, business, or local initiatives.
🔹 Strong collaborators who can contribute ideas and guidance to help grow the city’s economy.

📝 Applications are available at the City Clerk's Office or online at: saultcity.com/edc-board

05/19/2026

2nd Annual Eastern UP Exchange

Date: June 16 | Time: 1:00–4:00 PM
Location: LSSU - Lakes Rooms, Sault Ste Marie, MI

The Eastern UP SBSH is bringing back the EUP Exchange and brewing up an afternoon of dialogue, feedback, and hands-on guidance. It’s your chance to shape policy, connect with experts, and give your business a healthy boost. Let’s turn policy potholes into growth lanes, with a friendly, practical vibe only small business owners can bring.

What to expect:
- Active dialogue about current small business legislation and the hurdles those laws create for your business
- Feedback session on regulations you believe should be repealed or reformed
- Consultant’s Corner: connect with a variety of subject matter experts who can help your business navigate challenges
- One-on-one time with experts, offered confidentially, to increase your business capacity and long-term health
- Networking with other small business owners, with an anticipated attendance of about 100
- Insight into Small Business Support Hub grant programs and how your business can benefit

Why you should attend:
- Make your voice heard on legislation that impacts daily operations and growth
- Get practical, confidential guidance tailored to your needs
- Build meaningful connections with peers and a wide range of specialists
- Learn how to leverage grant programs to fuel your next milestone

Open to Michigan small business owners who want to influence policy, gain expert insights, and grow their networks.

If you’re looking for a productive afternoon that blends policy, expertise, and real-world business growth, the Eastern UP Exchange is for you. Spread the word to colleagues who should be there. See you on June 16!

Ready to Register?

Date: June 16 | Time: 1:00–4:00 PM Location: LSSU - Lakes Rooms, Sault Ste Marie, MI Good morning everyone. :) We're lucky to have a great lineup for our 2nd Annual UP Exchange. One hundred small business owners in one room changes the conversation. Be one of them! If you’re looking for a produc...

05/14/2026

MyMichigan Health is investing nearly $19 million to renovate and modernize MyMichigan Medical Center Sault’s downtown campus, with construction expected to begin in June

04/22/2026

Register for The Eastern U.P. & Straits Regional Prosperity Summit 📈

The Regional Prosperity Summit is a one-day convening designed to strengthen regional collaboration, build community capacity and connect leaders with tools and partnerships that support a prosperous and resilient rural future. Attendees include cross-sector leaders from economic development, government, education, nonprofit organizations and private industry across the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Straits Region.

Register for this free event at the link below 👇

https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/office-of-rural-development/events

04/22/2026

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has begun the process of amending three (3) existing Tax Increment Finance District plans (Development and Tax Increment Finance Plans under Act 57 of 2018). Two (2) of those districts are established as Downtown Development Authorities. A Downtown Development Authority, or DDA, is a public body created by a city to help strengthen and improve its downtown or commercial area. The goal of a DDA is to support a healthy, active, and attractive downtown that benefits the whole community. As part of the process, the city is convening two (2) groups of citizens that represent these two districts, and we would like your input and participation.

The citizen group is referred to as a Development Area Citizens Council (DACC). It’s a local advisory group made up of nine (9) or more residents, business owners, and property owners within a designated development area. The Council exists to:
• Provide input on proposed development and tax increment plans
• Ensure community perspectives are considered early
• Strengthen transparency and accountability in redevelopment decisions

Important: The DACC is advisory only. It does not approve projects, spending, or development plans.

Role Expectations
Members are expected to:
• Share local knowledge and lived experience
• Ask questions and raise potential concerns
• Offer constructive feedback on plans and concepts
• Attend 2-4 meetings over the course of the next 8-9 months

Members are not expected to:
• Negotiate development deals
• Represent all residents
• Advocate for specific private interests

The DACC Does:
• Review draft development or tax increment plans
• Identify community priorities and concerns
• Provide written or verbal recommendations
• Advise on impacts (traffic, housing, character, access, equity)

The DACC Does Not:
• Approve plans, budgets, or bonds
• Select developers
• Direct City staff
• Make final decisions

This is an excellent opportunity to represent your neighborhood and shape the future of your community. If you are interested in serving on this committee for the next few months, please apply by April 28th here:https://www.saultcity.com/media/4556 noting "DACC and your qualified district." If you have any questions, please email: [email protected].