CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH PHIL BRITON, ORIAN NETWORK
The Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development (CUPPAD) Regional Commission and Innovate Marquette SmartZone (Innovate Marquette) announced a request for proposals for a consultant project leader to conduct an electrified trails feasibility study in the Central Upper Peninsula.
CUPPAD Regional Commission and Innovate Marquette are seeking proposals from higher education partners or economic or planning consulting firms capable of organizing and engaging a team of students to develop the study.
This project will be overseen by the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network (ORIAN), a public-private outdoor recreation industry collaborative.
As one component of a recently funded $320,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), ORIAN is developing an Outdoor Recreation Industry Innovation Growth Strategy outlining actions public leaders can undertake to support outdoor recreation business growth to spur innovative technologies and electrified product development.
As the outdoor recreation sector continues to grow as a key regional industry, the emergence of electrified vehicles presents new opportunities for the Upper Peninsula. The electrified trails feasibility study will help identify and overcome the challenges of developing electrified mobility trails, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation in outdoor recreation.
The team conducting the study will assess trail segments against various factors and provide recommendations for the development of a pilot trail segment. Factors to investigate include electric vehicle charging stations along trail segments, Wi-Fi connectivity, and smart lighting.
“Electrified trails represent an innovative approach to enhancing the Upper Peninsula’s outdoor recreation infrastructure,” said Joe Thiel, CEO of Innovate Marquette and ORIAN board chairman. “This feasibility study is a pivotal step towards intentionally integrating sustainable technology with our natural landscapes and fostering growth and innovation for the outdoor recreation industry.”
A report on the study including methodology, feasibility analysis, segment ranking, and recommendations for top projects for the region to consider is expected to be presented alongside the Outdoor Recreation Industry Innovation Growth Strategy at the U.P. Outdoor Recreation Summit in May 2025.
“This project is paving the way for innovative outdoor experiences, while also providing practical research opportunities for students in our region,” said Ryan Soucy, senior economic development and community planner for CUPPAD. “We are eager to see the recommendations that come out of this study.”
The request for proposals will close on August 30, 2024, with the consultant selection and notification to occur September 6, 2024.
To learn more and review the request for proposal, please visit https://innovatemarquette.org/orian/
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