ALPENA — Twenty years into the future, local economic development leaders in Alpena envision a different city than the one we live in now. Some believe significant changes to the city are less than five years out and could include more people living and visiting the area, more recreational ...

ALPENA — The future of Northeast Michigan’s industry depends on the careful development of one of the region’s richest natural resources — its people, industry leaders say. Long reliant on industry connected with the region’s rocks and trees, the Alpena region must now meet the ...

ALPENA — Jeff Konczak owns a lot of this city, because he believes Alpena is worth the investment. “We’ve been investing in Alpena since 2002,” Konczak said in December. “Our investments are based on moving Alpena forward, for sure.” Konczak owns BCubed Manufacturing, an Alpena ...

ALPENA — Building a better community is all in the family, say a trio of siblings immersed in the retail world of Alpena’s downtown shopping district. Working together and separately, brother Griffin James and sisters Baillie James and Mollie Allen operate four different downtown ...

ALPENA — Kristen Misiak, who owns Shalla’s Market and Gas Station with her husband, Steve, said she remembers when businesses recently received grants to move downtown. That kind of effort needs to happen for Alpena’s north side, too, she said. “I am happy to have a vibrant downtown ...

ALPENA — A leader in optimism and positivity, Eric Peterson has worked hard to make things happen in Alpena. From expanding the Fresh Palate to adding the Nucleus Lounge in the Center Building to heading up the Sunrise Suds Tap Takeover beer festival and partnering with the Alpena Blues ...