Paula Gardner/Bridge Michigan

Michigan taxpayers will spend up to $50 million on the Copperwood copper mine in the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved the funding on Tuesday. Highland Copper Inc. from Toronto pitched the $425 million project in 2023, promising 380 jobs over 11 years. The state grant covers nearly 10% of the project cost. The funding comes from the now-defunded SOAR Fund, so lawmakers won't need to approve it.