The SBSH Scoop | SMART no matter what!
Our Hub (the Eastern Upper Peninsula Hub) has two recurring programs that you should be aware of:
SMART Sessions - 1-hour Zoom sessions meant to provide quick practical help on specific topics. There are 12 already set up for the Winter 2026 series. Check them out here!
SMART Workshops - 3.6-hour in person meetings meant to get you tangible traction on a particular area of your business. There are currently three more set up in the first half of 2026. There are three more soon to be added. Check them out here!
You can attend as many of these events as you like and it's on us.
All the expertise, all the tools you’ll get are paid for through the Small Business Support Hubs grant program.
Even better? You could get 1on1 help from the experts you meet and it’ll be on us! (if you are in the Eastern UP - there are other Hubs that cover you if you aren’t in the Eastern UP)
SMART Session Registration in a snap!
Business Spotlight | Camp-pletely Fantastic - Michihistrigan
What this SBSH grant funding truly represents is an opportunity for a more sustainable business.
Michihistrigan is much more than a campground; it’s a 37-acre sanctuary where you can literally "pitch" your worries aside. A round-two SBSH direct grantee, this local treasure perfectly balances serene nature with a vibrant social scene.
Sites for every style camping you crave - a rustic escape or a full-hookup lifestyle, Michihistrigan has you covered with 35 sites (including 12 full hookups) and 37 acres of property to explore. Between the quiet pond and the family-friendly pavilion fire pits, it’s the ultimate spot to choose your own adventure.
The Bar & Grill on site is a local legend, specifically for its French Dip sandwich—rumored to be the best in the region. To keep the good times rolling, Michihistrigan used their SBSH grant to install a brand-new cooling system. This upgrade ensures that those famous sandwiches and cold drinks stay perfectly chilled just in time for the 2026 season.
The fun doesn’t stop when the snow falls. Open all year, the bar hosts competitive pool and dart leagues—even recently sponsoring a local champion's trip to a Las Vegas tournament! For your summer planning, mark your calendars for the Father's Day Rendezvous and the legendary Boonie Bash during the last weekend of July.
Whether you’re there for a bullseye, a bonfire, or a beef dip, Michihistrigan is a vital piece of the Eastern UP’s hospitality landscape. You could check it out on the next trip up!
Plan your visit to Michihistrigan
SMART Workshop | Business Financial Management 101
SMART Workshop #5 | Money Talk with Diana Goode of Ops
Let's be honest: Financial management can feel like a foreign language. Many of us started our businesses because we're good at what we do, not because we're expert accountants! It's completely normal to rely on bookkeepers and CPAs—but ultimately, the financial decisions that drive your business growth (and what gets reported to the IRS!) are your responsibility.
This practical, free workshop is designed to remove the guesswork and help you feel confident, not confused, about your company's money.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 8:30 am-noon
Sault Ste Marie EDC Offices, 2345 Meridian, Sault Ste Marie
Your Turn | How Are We Doing?
You’re out there running businesses, juggling everything from inventory to snowbanks — so you know better than anyone what works, what doesn’t, and what you wish we’d do next.
Help us make our programming and communications even better.
Totally anonymous. Zero pressure.
Got a minute? Share what you are thinking.
And yes, we appreciate compliments but would hear criticism with a humble and grateful heart too!
People in the Know | Your Local Economic Development Peeps
Here are more people you can connect with when you are looking for resources and connections.
- Bob Sawruk - Sault Tribe - RSawruk@saulttribe.net
- Chris Olson - Chippewa County - admin@chippewacountyedc.com
- Nikki Radke - City of Sault Ste Marie - nradke@saultcity.com
- Miche Rayment - EUP region at large (and Mackinac County) - Miche@HeadwatersNorth.org
- Tammy Henry - Luce County - director@lucecoedc.com
- Tara Parrish - Bay Mills Indian Community - tparrish@baymills.org