September 10, 2026

Eastern Upper Peninsula Small Businesses Invited to the Second Annual EUP Exchange hosted by the Small Business Support Hub and Headwaters North

Sault Ste. Marie, MI — September 2026— Small business owners across the Eastern Upper Peninsula are invited togather for the Second Annual EUP Exchange, a high‑energy regional eventdesigned to bring real conversations, expertise, and solutions to thechallenges facing local EUP businesses. The EUP Exchange will take placeMonday, September 14 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Lake Superior State University.

Hosted by the Small Business Support Hub andHeadwaters North, the EUP Exchange brings together entrepreneurs, smallbusiness owners, and regional experts for an afternoon focused on what’sworking, what’s not, and what’s standing between local businesses and theirnext stage of growth.

“The EUP Exchange is where small businessowners change the conversation,” said Nikki Storey, CEO of Headwaters North.“This event is built for people who are doing the work every day; people whounderstand the realities of declining traffic, shifting markets, and the needfor practical, accessible support. When you put a hundred business owners inone room, ideas start moving fast.”

What Attendees Can Expect

Participants will receive updates on the SmallBusiness Support Hubs (SBSH) Grant Program, including new opportunities fordirect grants and support available to businesses across the region. The eventwill also feature open, honest discussion about the barriers local businessesface, from workforce challenges to operational bottlenecks, and how regionalpartners can help remove them.

In addition, attendees will have theopportunity to connect directly with subject‑matter experts in law, HR,marketing, finance, operations, business strategy, AI in small business,economic development, SmartZone programming, SBA, SBDC, workforce development,and APEX Accelerator services.

A Growing Regional Network

The EUP Exchange is part of the Small BusinessSupport Hub and Headwaters North’s broader mission to strengthen theentrepreneurial ecosystem across the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Throughpartnerships with regional organizations and statewide initiatives, HeadwatersNorth continues to expand access to resources, programming, and support forboth startups and established small businesses.