It would basically be a smaller, colder, non-coal West Virginia. A formerly heavily mining, in this case Iron Ore and Copper, focused area that has been economically declining for decades. The population is declining and the only bright spots are the major universities (though in West Virginia the major population growth is in the exburban Washington panhandle, not at the universities). There is also nature and tourism going for it, with incredible scenery and beautiful outdoor resources. But, that's not nearly enough for a viable state. According to the article linked, the 2016 Census estimate for the UP is only 303,000.
https://www.bridgemi.com/quality-life/upper-peninsula-population-plummets-one-familys-struggle-shows-whyMy mother is actually from the UP. Literally everyone she was friends with in high school and undergrad (she went to Northern Michigan) moved away. Most to either Wisconsin or Downstate Michigan, since that's where the closest opportunities were located . There just weren't many opportunities available for people her age. Out of the three siblings in the family, only one stayed in the UP. This was in the 70s...if anything things have only gotten worse there.
