The island is mostly undeveloped. Government The island is the most southeasterly part of Soo Township in Michigan's Chippewa County. Residents of the island are represented in the Michigan Legislature by the representative of the 107th District and the senator for Senate District 37. They are represented in the federal House of Representatives by the representative of Michigan's 1st congressional district. Transportation Water The island is accessible only by water. A vehicle and passenger ferry operates on a seasonal basis to connect the island with Bruce Township on the Michigan mainland. During the height of summer, departures occur every two hours, with some additional trips scheduled during peak morning and afternoon hours. Service is not provided between January 15 and April 1. In 2006, the ferry carried an average of 3,300 passengers with 2,175 vehicles each month. The ferry is owned, maintained, and fueled by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority; it is operated under contract by a private firm. The island forms an important junction of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence seaway. Ship traffic heading up-bound on the St. Marys River toward Lake Superior passes through the Munuscong Channel on the island's east side, while down-bound traffic to Lake Huron passes through the deepened West Neebish Channel on the island's west side. Road Brander Road runs the north–south length of the island nearly at its center. East 15 Mile Road runs across the east–west axis of the island; it is an unconnected extension of the road of the same name in Bruce Township. The ferry serves a road called East Neebish Ferry Road on both the mainland and the island. Culture The island had many one-room school houses earlier in its history, but most are no longer in operation because of changes in population and educational expectations. A community center, next to the fire house, was built at the former site of a school house. Numerous families have owned and maintained cottages on the island for several generations. The island is a destination for seasonal cottagers in the northeastern part of Michigan. The Neebish Island Resort offers cottage rentals and related amenities for visitors. A small general store and resort, known as the Little Neebish Resort, burned down in the 1990s. Plans to rebuild were underway. Neebish Island Resort has opened a general store and runs it on a seasonal basis. Another general store opened by the original ferry dock.