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.
Left Behind Places: The Example of the Upper Peninsula
Michael Broadway explores the concept of “left-behind places,” focusing on economic disparities in the U.S., particularly Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Taxing Tourists: A Global and Local Perspective
In his latest article for Rural Insights, Michael Broadway highlights how tourism drives economic benefits in the U.P. but also creates challenges like congestion, environmental strain, and housing shortages, prompting debate over increasing tourist taxes to balance community and business interests.
The U.P.’s Post-Covid Economic Performance: The Importance of Recreation and Tourism
In his latest article, Michael Broadway compares recent changes in population, employment and median household income in recreation- and government-dependent counties in the Upper Peninsula post-Covid.
The Upper Peninsula’s Tourist Economy
In his latest research piece, Michael Broadway examines trends in tourism in the Upper Peninsula and its effects on our economy.
The UP’s Farming Revival Reconsidered
Michael Broadway provides an update of the Upper Peninsula’s farm economy using the latest Agricultural Census data from 2022, beginning with an overview of the environmental and economic factors affecting farming in the region.
The Challenge of Job Creation in the Upper Peninsula
In his latest article, Michael Broadway analyzes job growth among Michigan’s counties between 2006 and 2023, and compares the Upper Peninsula’s job creation performance with other areas in the state.
Shrinking Population: Why It Matters
Michael Broadway explores the implications of population decline in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, using Cairo, Illinois as a case study to highlight the economic and social challenges faced by communities with shrinking populations–particularly the impact on local businesses, schools, housing values, and government pensions.
2020-2023 Census Population Estimates: A Mixed Bag for UP Counties
In their latest research piece, Michael and John Broadway explore the mixed demographic trends in the Upper Peninsula. While some counties see modest population growth due to remote work and migration, economic challenges remain deep-rooted in distressed communities.
Health in the UP: Is it Improving?
Is overall health in the Upper Peninsula improving? Michael and John Broadway take a look at the data, comparing UP county health rankings for the state in 2011 to 2023.
Recent UP Migration Trends and Their Economic Consequences
In their latest Rural Insights article, Michael and John Broadway expand their previous study on migration trends for the UP to all 15 counties, and share what conclusions we can draw from this data.
