Michael Broadway
Michael Broadway is Professor of Geography and the former Dean of Arts & Sciences at Northern Michigan University. His research expertise focuses on the meatpacking industry’s community impacts. In 2006 he was a visiting Fulbright Research Chair in the Department of Rural Economy at the University of Alberta. He is a co-author with Donald Stull of Slaughterhouse Blues: The Meat and Poultry Industry in North America. (2nd edition 2011: Cengage). More recently he has published on a variety of food and drink related topics including food tourism, slow food and coffeehouses.
Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Walking the International Bridge Between Sault Ste Marie Michigan and Ontario
Michael Broadway reflects on walking the International Bridge between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Ontario during a period of heightened U.S.–Canada tensions. His article explores the bridge’s enduring importance as a symbol of cross-border friendship, trade, and the close ties between the twin Saults.
Latest Census Bureau Population Estimates for the U.P.
The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that the Upper Peninsula’s population has remained relatively stable overall—but the story varies widely by county. While places like Marquette and Houghton continue to attract new residents through migration, many other counties face long-term population decline, an aging population, workforce shortages, and rising housing costs. Our newest article explores what these trends mean for the future of the U.P.
U.P. Exceptionalism: The Case of Craft Beer
Michigan’s craft beer industry has grown dramatically over the past decade—even as overall beer consumption declines. Discover how Upper Peninsula breweries are adapting by becoming community hubs, diversifying their offerings, and finding new ways to thrive in a changing market.
The U.P. Falling Further and Further Behind?: An Comparison of Median Household Income Growth
How has the U.P. fared economically compared to neighboring Wisconsin counties over the past 35 years? This new analysis by Michael Broadway examines changes in median household income, population trends, manufacturing job losses, and what they may mean for the region’s future.
Zero Migration: Implications for the U.P.
New analysis highlights how strict immigration policies and declining birth rates are reshaping population trends—especially in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With more deaths than births and fewer immigrants arriving, long-term population decline and labor shortages may pose serious economic challenges for the region and beyond.
President Trump, Canada, the Upper Peninsula and Tourists
Fewer Canadians are crossing the border into Michigan, and U.P. businesses are beginning to feel the impact. New data shows a sharp decline in cross-border travel and its potential effects on the local economy.
Viewing Nature: An Analysis of Exposure to Nature in the Upper Peninsula
New research shows that trees and greenspace don’t just make our communities look better–they actively support mental and physical health. In the U.P.’s cities, tree cover varies widely, meaning some neighborhoods benefit more than others. Planting trees is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to improve long-term health outcomes.
Home Ownership and the American Dream in the Upper Peninsula
Rising housing costs and limited supply are making the American Dream of homeownership harder to reach for young people in the U.P.
Recent Changes in U.P. Employment and Unemployment
Tourism remains the U.P.’s economic lifeline, but rising unemployment and slowing job growth show how vulnerable the region is to national and global shifts.
To Mow or Not to Mow? Marquette’s Changing Lawn Landscape
America’s obsession with manicured lawns—once a status symbol of wealth and order—faces growing backlash over water waste, chemicals, and loss of biodiversity. From “No Mow May” to native plant rebellions, cities like Marquette are seeing a quiet shift toward pollinator-friendly, sustainable yards despite ordinances and HOA rules.
