2000
Sawyer Community Development Workgroup and Marquette-Alger Youth Foundation sponsor neighborhood picnics/activities to facilitate resident interaction and community building.

June - Louisiana Pacific purchases Sawyer Lumber.

July - Sawyer Floral Services opens at former arts and crafts center.

July - Sawyer Business Alliance and Gwinn Area Chamber of Commerce merge to form Gwinn Sawyer Area Chamber of Commerce. Membership grows to 131 by November, 2001.

Fall - Kelly Johnson Memorial Drive opens, shortening drive to Sawyer International Airport for north and west Marquette County residents

October - Meyer Family Vision opens at Sawyer Medical Center.

October - D&J Restaurant and The American Place to be operated by Don Curto and John Godo.

December - Over 200 people attend the Community Christmas party at the YMCA sponsored through a partnership of community organizations and volunteers.

2001
June - AmeriCorps selects Gwinn/Sawyer for statewide community volunteer projects. 170 residents and AmeriCorps volunteers spruce up Little Trout Lake Park, Nordeen Park, and Sawyer Headstart classrooms.

July - Catholic Campaign for Human Development announces grant award to Sawyer Community Association to hire Sawyer's first Community Coordinator

Summer - Charter Communications installs fiber optic cable throughout all of Sawyer to provide high-speed Internet and improved, expanded cable services.

August - Marquette General Hospital Rehabilitative Services opens at Sawyer Medical Center

Fall - South Marquette County Alliance forms and develops area-wide strategic plan.

September - Free Will Baptist group leases chapel on Avenue A

November - Housing developers purchase property; K.I. Sawyer Development Inc.,

MACASU and Red Fox Woods receive deeds. A variety of homes now available for sale to the public.

November - Victory Lutheran Church receives property deed.

December - Library Project volunteers begin moving Air Force library back into the Gwinn/Sawyer communities

First Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony at
Community Coordination Office

Residents: 1,961
Jobs: 1,034

The winds of change hit this area especially hard. But local business, government and individuals were able to alter how they think, to come to grips with reality and to adapt. Building a civilian community at this former military installation has been a tremendous challenge. We all have good reason to be proud of what's been accomplished; but, we must remember Tom Rumora's parting advice that, "…we're not done. There are several more acts in this play before the curtain can be drawn."

The success of our community will continue to depend upon us. As long as we are purposeful, see what is needed and set about doing it, our actions will create the community, one that fulfills Sawyer's part of the South Marquette County Vision, a community where:

• There is a prosperous and diversified economy providing quality employment and a full range of services for the people;
• The physical appearance reflects the vibrant community spirit;
• The transportation and utility infrastructure allows us the opportunity to grow and prosper;
• Sawyer International Airport is the keystone for the Central Upper Peninsula's development and continued growth;
• We utilize our recreational resources to attract visitors throughout the seasons; and
• There is affordable, flexible, quality education for all.

Collage photos by Danielle Bammert

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