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MARQUETTE -- We've all seen them...vacant homes and buildings that plague our communities.

Thursday, the Michigan Vacant Property Campaign made a trip to Marquette to talk about blighted properties throughout the state.

They say the areas that are most plagued by vacant buildings are Detroit and Flint, but it exists in Marquette, too. For example, the old orphanage building. In 2006, there were 214 vacant properties in the Upper Peninsula, and since then, that number has nearly doubled to 408.

"I think it was really great that the state folks came up here to talk to us and gave us an opportunity, not only to hear about what's going on around the rest of the state, but what we can do here. I think it energized people. I definitely think there's going to be a follow-up meeting on this topic," said Marquette County Treasurer Anne Giroux.

Other areas of concern are properties in Sawyer.

Those attending the meeting were encouraged to brainstorm about ways that they can improve vacancies in the community.