CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH LT. GOV. GARLIN GILCHRIST
Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist spent the day Thursday in Escanaba, as he filled in for Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Gilchrist started his day with a stop at MOTIS Brands, which is expanding its Escanaba operations thanks in part to a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Gilchrist (D-Detroit) later attended the Upper Peninsula State Fair, speaking at the U.P. Veteran of the Year ceremony, visiting the DNR Pocket Park, hanging out in the animal barns, and filling in for Whitmer at the Governor’s luncheon under the Activities Tent.
Gilchrist says he was impressed with what he saw at MOTIS Brands.
“They were already doing some business in Escanaba, but saw an expansion opportunity and we’re proud that we (MEDC) found a way to help them do that,” Gilchrist told RRN News in a Thursday afternoon interview. “To move a line of business from California to Michigan. And what they told me was that it NEEDED to be in Michigan, and that it was better in Michigan.”
Gilchrist says the company has 25 employees and with the expansion, could have as many as 65 as they make auto ramps and other plastic components.
“I got to see their new production line, and I was really moved by it,” he said. “That’s exactly the kind of story, of economic opportunity, and growth here in the Upper Peninsula that’s important to me and to Governor Whitmer.”
At the governor’s luncheon, Gilchrist touted the record-high Michigan state budget, and the support for it by state representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette). Hill is in a battle with former TV-6 meteorologist Kark Bohnak for the 109th district seat that she won in 2022.
“I want to make sure that it’s very clear to people that the policies that we’ve been able to do, and Rep. Jenn Hill has voted for, has made a difference in the Upper Peninsula,” Gilchrist said. “Budgets that have opened 27 new day cares in the UP that created nearly 600 new day care slots. She’s voted for budgets that brought free breakfasts and free lunch to kids in public schools across the U.P. I want to let people know that we’re going to continue to invest in the people of the Upper Peninsula.”
Gilchrist also praised Howard Seid, the Ontonagon County man who was honored as the Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year during Thursday’s ceremony.
“That was the highlight of the day,” Gilchrist said. “Howard Seid is an amazing individual. I think the biggest takeaway of his story for me was, and it’s true of all of our veterans, that they don’t stop serving when they leave their military service. They still find ways to serve their community, and Howard was kind of head-and-shoulers of how he just serves, and serves, and serves, and serves. It’s really inspirational. That ceremony was beautiful.”
Gilchrist said that one of the major initiatives that will roll out in the coming year is the “Michigan Guarantee”, which gives free community college tuition to all kids who graduate from a Michigan high school. He says the next year will also see advances in addressing the shortage of nurses, and there will be more investment in creating affordable housing across Michigan.
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