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Historically, Ontonagon County current economy has been dominated by three large sectors: copper mining and processing, paper product production, and the fabrication of metal components. Following the announced closing of active copper mining and processing in 1995, the county economy is looking at an increase in small businesses to support a growing tourism industry. This industry is currently built around snowmobiling and the facilities found in the Porcupine Mountains State Park, the Ottawa National Forest, and a wide selection of other recreation sites. While forest products and tourism will continue to provide an economic base, non-forest related manufacturing and service sectors will have an opportunity to emerge from an active economic development recruitment program. State of the art infrastructure is in place for telecommunications and other businesses. A highly skilled available workforce is one of the county's greatest asets. Ontonagon County is home to four state Renaissance Zones, which offer long term tax savings to businesses. Ontonagon County has an excellent reputation of working to assist new and existing businesses and offers a substantial revolving loan fund as well as tax abatement for job creation business development.
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