Great Lakes Sports Commission
Impact Across Northern Michigan
Strategic investments in sports facilities, events and partnerships are strengthening communities, attracting visitors and building long-term economic opportunity across northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Photo: UP Travel
Regional Reach
Building capacity across a 36-county region
GLSC works across northern Michigan to help communities protect important sports assets, improve facilities, grow events and create opportunities that generate value well beyond the field of play. Our investments range from major infrastructure and revolving loans to targeted event and program support.
Where We Invest
GLSC-supported projects across the region
From the western Upper Peninsula to the Straits and northern Lower Peninsula, GLSC-supported facilities, events and programs are helping communities build stronger sports infrastructure and increase their capacity to host athletes and visitors.
Project-focused map highlighting major capital investments and additional event and program support. Locations are shown by county geography.
Capital & Infrastructure
Investments designed for lasting value
GLSC uses grants, loans and strategic project support to strengthen existing sports assets and help communities create capacity for future events and economic activity.
Pine Mountain Ski Jump
Tower renovations and support infrastructure sustaining international ski jumping and a signature regional event.
Traverse City Curling Center
Support for a purpose-built curling facility that expands year-round sports capacity in the region.
Traverse City Horse Shows
Strategic facility investment supporting expanded event capacity and additional competitions.
Wexford Civic Center
Facility improvements that enhance the center’s ability to host sporting events and community activity.
Michigan Tech Trails
Investment in a nationally recognized trail system supporting competition, training and community use.
International 500
Track improvements supporting the iconic snowmobile race and expanded year-round use.
Copper Peak
Support for improvements to one of northern Michigan’s most distinctive international sports assets.
Hickory Hills
Infrastructure improvements expanding park uses and capacity for sanctioned ski competition.
Ishpeming Ski Club / Suicide Hill
Investment supporting improvements to a historic Upper Peninsula ski jumping venue.
Event-Driven Impact
Sports events bring visiting athletes, families, spectators, vendors and media activity into northern Michigan communities. GLSC support helps proven events grow, improves the visitor and participant experience, and creates platforms that elevate the region.
Economic activity is associated with supported events and should not be interpreted as solely attributable to GLSC funding. Estimates use reported impact where available and conservative visitor-spending assumptions where required.
Facility-Enabled Impact
Protecting economic engines and creating new capacity
Pine Mountain Ski Jump
A $3.4 million GLSC loan has supported major improvements to the Kiwanis Ski Club-owned and operated Pine Mountain Ski Jump, helping sustain international competition and the recurring visitor economy surrounding the Continental Cup.
Traverse City Horse Shows
A $300,000 GLSC investment helped strengthen a major northern Michigan sports venue and support the capacity to host additional competitions, visitors and related economic activity.
Events & Programs
Supporting events that bring people to the region
GLSC support reaches a diverse portfolio of professional, amateur, youth and community sports. The goal is to strengthen established events, help promising events grow and build a year-round sports economy across the region.
A Sustainable Capital Model
Protect. Grow. Build. Reinvest.
Every GLSC investment is intended to strengthen regional capacity—not simply fund a single moment in time. The long-term model connects strategic capital with facilities, events and partners so successful projects create a stronger foundation for what comes next.
Build What Comes Next
Turn the next sports opportunity into regional impact
Whether you are developing a facility, growing an event or looking to partner in northern Michigan sports development, GLSC can help connect opportunity with resources and regional collaboration.