Operation Action UP annual award highlights UP businesses

UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WLUC) – Operation Action U.P. aims to highlight businesses with an annual award, and nominations are currently being accepted.

Since 2000, the Excellence Awards have been given to for-profit businesses that actively contribute to the U.P. economy. The awards focus on recognizing up to four businesses or major institutional employers from the U.P. Winners will be able to present on their businesses during the yearly Operation Action U.P. meeting.

Joe Esbrook, Hiawatha Log Homes CEO and Operation Action U.P. co-chairman said Operation Action U.P. was formed in 1962 by business and education leaders across the U.P.

“To fill a void,” Esbrook said. “It really became the first, I think, regional organization to promote economic development and solve issues across the entire U.P.”

Esbrook says it’s important to celebrate the many businesses spread across the U.P.

“There are a lot of hidden gems, we call it, across the U.P. as far as businesses go, and they’re really to highlight these businesses and give them an ‘atta boy.’,” Esbrook said. “And to celebrate their success and to show other businesses what they can achieve.”

The deadline to nominate a business is Nov. 1. To view the nomination form, click here.

The yearly meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at Northern Michigan University. To learn more about the yearly meeting, click here.

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