Manistique Building Tour Highlights Renovation Opportunities and Community Investment

MANISTIQUE, Mich. - October, 2026 — Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce (STC), in partnership with InvestUP, hosted the Manistique Building Tour on Monday, October 19, bringing together 24 participants interested in exploring vacant properties, renovation opportunities, and the potential for new business development throughout Manistique. The tour was spearheaded by Victoria George, Executive Director of STC, and Anne Giroux of InvestUP, with support from a dedicated committee of community leaders, including Julia Hanselman of InvestUP; Travis Wood of Grover Real Estate; Kate Schuetter, STC Board Chair; Brittney Zellar, STC Board Vice Chair; Kayla Carlson, STC board member; and Amy Braun, STC board member.

The event brought together realtors, builders, individuals pursuing renovation projects, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those interested in starting or relocating a business to Manistique. The goal was to connect people with available properties, share information about financial and technical resources, and demonstrate the potential for reinvestment in the community’s existing buildings.

Celebrating Manistique’s Renovation Success Stories

The tour began by highlighting inspiring renovation projects completed throughout Manistique over the past several years. These examples demonstrated how older buildings can be transformed into beautiful, functional spaces while preserving the character and unique features that make the community special.

Participants learned how local business owners have uncovered hidden architectural details during renovations, including hardwood floors and mosaic tile beneath carpeting, decorative ceiling tiles concealed by drop ceilings, and original brick walls hidden behind drywall. At The Mill in Manistique, historic support beams manufactured by E.T. Barnum Wire & Iron Works in Detroit had been concealed behind interior paneling, revealing another unique feature of the building’s history and character.

These stories illustrated the possibilities that can be found within Manistique’s older buildings and encouraged participants to look beyond a property’s current appearance to envision what it could become.

“There is a real sense of excitement in Manistique and throughout Schoolcraft County as we see new businesses opening and older buildings being renovated and transformed into beautiful, restored spaces,” said Victoria George, Executive Director of Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce. “Sometimes, what a building needs is someone who can look beyond what is there today and see what it could become tomorrow. We wanted participants to see the success stories in our community, recognize the potential in our vacant buildings, and understand that resources are available to help turn those ideas into reality. These properties represent opportunities to bring new businesses, housing, jobs, and renewed energy to our downtown and neighborhoods.”

Five Vacant Buildings Showcase Potential for Redevelopment

Following the introductory presentation, participants toured five vacant buildings available for sale or soon to be listed. At each location, discussions focused on the property’s unique characteristics and potential uses, including ideas for mixed-use development, housing, retail, restaurants, and other services that could meet community needs.

The properties featured during the tour included:

• 123 Walnut Street — Former Malloy Sign Building

  • Listed by Julie Barr of Barr Team – Keller Williams

• 201 S. Cedar Street — Former China King Location

  • Listed by Amber Carlson of Keller Williams

• 415 Oak Street — Former Barney’s Store

  • Listed by Julie Barr of Barr Team – Keller Williams

• 321 Deer Street — Former Candle Store Building

  • Listed by Jim Whethy of Grover Real Estate

• Deer Street — Zellar Garage

  • Listed by Abbey Wood of Grover Real Estate

Each property offered its own possibilities for redevelopment. Ideas discussed included a childcare center with living space, duplexes and townhomes, retail space combined with housing, and a restaurant with residential units.

Mixed-use concepts, which combine commercial and residential spaces in one building, were among the ideas explored as a way to make productive use of existing structures while creating additional housing and business opportunities.

Connecting Investors with Resources for Renovation

An important component of the tour was helping participants understand that financial and technical resources may be available to assist with renovation and redevelopment projects.

Victoria George of STC and Anne Giroux of InvestUP discussed several potential tools that property owners, developers, and business entrepreneurs may be able to explore, depending on project eligibility and program requirements.

Resources discussed included:

• Tax abatements: Potential property tax incentives for qualifying investments and

  redevelopment projects.

• Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF): A financing tool that may help cover eligible costs associated with redeveloping qualifying properties, which also includes Housing.

• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) grants: Potential funding opportunities for eligible environmental assessments

  and related activities that help evaluate properties for redevelopment.

• Build UP funds: Potential financing resources to help support qualifying

  development and redevelopment projects.

• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) low-interest loans: Financing programs that may help eligible businesses and developers move projects forward.

• Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) - Various grant programs that support the creation of new or rehabilitated housing units.

By introducing participants to these resources, STC and InvestUP hoped to

demonstrate that the purchase price of a building is only one part of a redevelopment project. Understanding available programs, identifying potential funding sources, and connecting with the right partners can help make projects more achievable.

“Not every renovation project looks the same, and there is no single resource that works for every building,” George explained. “That is why connecting property owners, realtors, builders, entrepreneurs, and community partners is so important. When people understand what resources may be available and have the opportunity to talk through their ideas, they can begin identifying the next steps toward making a project happen. We want people to know that they do not have to navigate the process alone.”

Teamwork Creates Opportunities for Growth

Travis Wood of Grover Real Estate, who assisted with planning the tour, emphasized the importance of collaboration and giving people an opportunity to see the community’s potential firsthand.

“Events like this take teamwork, and I truly appreciate everyone who helped make it happen. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we had 24 people attend, including realtors, builders, and individuals who are currently working on or hoping to pursue a renovation project in our community, as well as those interested in starting or relocating a business to Manistique. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect people with available spaces, share resources, and showcase the potential for growth in our community,” said Woods.

“I hope everyone felt the excitement surrounding the development and opportunities we have here. Providing opportunities for people to see what’s happening firsthand and envision what’s possible is an important part of encouraging future investment, attracting new businesses, and supporting continued economic growth,” said Wood.

Community Partnerships Make the Tour Possible

The Manistique Tour of Buildings was made possible through the teamwork and generosity of numerous community partners who share a commitment to Manistique’s continued growth and revitalization.

Special thanks go to The Mill in Manistique for generously allowing us to begin the tour at their building and use the space for the introductory presentation. Starting at The Mill provided an opportunity to highlight the exciting renovation projects and revitalization efforts already taking place throughout our community.

Special thanks go to Schoolcraft County Transit for providing bus transportation, allowing participants to travel together to the different properties featured on the tour. This support made it possible for attendees to conveniently visit all five vacant buildings and explore their potential for redevelopment.

STC also extends its sincere appreciation to Central UP Planning and Development (CUPPAD), and the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) whose grants to Build U.P. helped fund this tour, along with other Emerging Developer events held in Manistique. Their investment helped create an opportunity to connect potential investors, entrepreneurs, realtors, and builders with available properties and resources that may help bring future renovation and development projects to life.

“We’re grateful to the partners who recognize Manistique’s potential and invest in opportunities that bring people together to envision the community’s future. Every time I participate in an event like this in Manistique, I’m reminded of the incredible entrepreneurial spirit here and am genuinely impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment people have for investing in their community’s future,” said Anne Giroux of InvestUP.

Additional thanks go to Jake Shampine for photographing the event and creating a video that will be shared through various media and social media channels, helping showcase the properties and highlight the exciting opportunities for investment in Manistique.

STC is grateful to all the committee members, property representatives, realtors, community partners, and participants who contributed their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm. Events like this demonstrate what can be accomplished when organizations and individuals work together toward a shared vision for the future of Manistique and Schoolcraft County.

The Manistique Tour of Buildings reflects STC’s ongoing commitment to driving economic vitality, supporting local businesses, encouraging investment, and strengthening Schoolcraft County as a thriving place to live, work, and visit. Through continued collaboration with InvestUP and local partners, STC hopes to build on the momentum already underway and help connect interested individuals with the properties, resources, and relationships they need to bring their visions to life.

For more information about business resources, economic development opportunities, or Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce, visit DiscoverSchoolcraft.com or contact STC at (906) 341-5010.

About Schoolcraft Tourism &Commerce

Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce (STC) works to drive economic vitality, enhance quality of life for residents, and strengthen Schoolcraft County’s position as a thriving place to live, work, and visit. Through business support, tourism promotion, community partnerships, and economic development initiatives, STC helps connect people and resources to support a strong and vibrant local economy.

About InvestUP

InvestUP is a regional economic development organization serving Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Through partnerships, business support, and investment initiatives, InvestUP works to advance economic growth and create opportunities throughout the region.