Detroit Regional Chamber > Advocacy > President’s Support of Soo Locks a Positive Step Toward Preserving a Key Economic Driver for Michigan

President’s Support of Soo Locks a Positive Step Toward Preserving a Key Economic Driver for Michigan

May 2, 2018
This week, Gov. Rick Snyder announced the designation of Lt. Gov. Brian Calley to lead Michigan’s effort with the White House on a commitment to upgrade and fix the Soo Locks, a vital asset for national trade and commerce. The announcement follows President Trump’s visit to Macomb County last week, where he vowed support for the Locks.

Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah released the following statement in support of these efforts:

“Advocating for bipartisan support to fund the rebuilding of the Soo Locks was a 2017 Mackinac To-Do List item. We are pleased to see the Soo Locks getting national and state attention, as it is a vital source for trade and commerce across the country. We look forward to working with the Trump administration, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Michigan’s congressional delegation on upgrading the infrastructure.”

Following Gov. Snyder’s designation, Lt. Gov. Calley launched michigan.gov/fixthesoolocks, a new website that calling on the need to fix and upgrade the Soo Locks.

In March, the Chamber and GLMCC met with members of Congress and their staff during a two-day fly-in to Washington, D.C. to discuss several recently proposed policies that will affect business in the Great Lakes region. Coalition members submitted to Congress and the Trump administration a list of infrastructure priorities, specifically highlighting the Soo Locks.

GLMCC issued the following statement today:

“On behalf the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, we look forward to working with Lieutenant Governor Brian Nelson Calley, Governor Synder, and the Trump Administration, to advance the Soo Locks modernization project. We are ready to help in any capacity and look forward to advocating for the project.”

Brandon Mendoza and Marty McGann are the co-directors of the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition.

Read more below:

Great Lakes Metro Chambers Push for Action on Infrastructure, Immigration and Trade