Operation Action UP: A business playing a role in helping other UP businesses

Operation Action U.P. was created in the 1960s to highlight Upper Peninsula businesses and the impact they have on their surrounding communities.

"It's funded by its members who also contribute their time and talent as well as the resources of their organization," said Brett French, Co-Chair of Operation Action U.P.

To be considered for the Business Excellence Awards, a business is nominated and then reviewed by the officers of Operation Action U.P. and being nominated is an honor in and of itself.

"It means different things to different business, of course, but over the years as we look back and take a look at the businesses that have been nominated and recognized in this way, it's very interesting to see them grow and evolve and contribute so significantly to the long term success of the region," said French.

On February 15, one of those businesses being highlighted is Northern Initiatives, an organization who specializes in getting loans to small businesses and start ups and has lent over $50 million to small businesses across Northern Michigan.

"One of the challenges of being in the U.P. is that you can find yourself pretty isolated from other entrepreneurs and other small businesses that are succeeding," said Dennis West, President of Northern Initiatives.

Northern Initiatives also provides training and help to Northern Michigan businesses, including access to monetary, marketing and management support to help start ups and small businesses get up and running.

They are happy to have played a critical part in the success of so many businesses in the U.P.

"It's nice to know that many of those businesses that have been recognized have also been our customers," said West. "So we'll be both talking about our journey as an organization and some of the customers that we've worked with."

Join TV6 News Wednesday night as we talk to Lester Detterbeck Enterprises in Iron River, a recipient of th Action U.P. Award.