Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Gov. Snyder and Rising Tide initiative stopped to chat with local leaders Sunday in Ontonagon. Pictured at right is Ontonagon Village President Ken Waldrop.
By JAN TUCKER
Ontonagon - Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Rising Tide came to Ontonagon Sunday to open a new initiative. Ontonagon became the fifth community in the second round to be included in the Rising Tide program. Rising Tide makes Michigan tools available for at risk communities, creating a path toward economic stability and growth. Both state and local leaders were included in the round table with the Governor.
Initially 10 communities were chosen for the project. Snyder said eight of the ten have now "graduated" and are working on those goals. Roger Curtis said that while Michigan is on the rise, this program is designed to ensure each community, no matter its size, can play a part in the rising tide.
Snyder brought the heads of several important offices, including Roger Curtus, Director of Talent and Economic Development, Jennifer Tucker, MEDC and others. Sitting in at the round table discussion were the members of the Ontonagon Village Council, Housing Commission, Planning Commission, Ontonagon Area School, Ontonagon County EDC, MDNR Committee and others.
Snyder emphasized the listening session will center on "how you can help yourselves." He urged them to work with young entrepreneurs and find the leaders in the community who can help.
The Ontonagon members of the round table described some of the items that block or slow down development. Rich Ernest described the absence of grant writers, expansion of the Ontonagon Airport, bringing back the rail road, dredging of the Ontonagon Harbor and other projects. When Snyder asked if the Michigan Economic Development had been contacted, Pat Tucker explained when the former director was contacted they did not return calls or answer letters. "We never went back to them and did it on our own," he said.
Several asked if the state could work with the federal government for dredging of the harbor. Tucker described the ships that were turned away because of a sand blockage across the entrance to the harbor. Snyder added "We can look into that."
Snyder asked questions on broadband and affordable housing. Village President Ken Waldrop noted that Ontonagon has joined the land bank and will need help from that to tear down blighted buildings in the commercial district. Snyder added he will have someone from the bank contact Waldrop.
Ontonagon Area School Superintendent Jim Bobula described the help the school has received from Highland Copper and Lake Shore Incorporated and the recent action by Lakeshore to get the high school welders certified so they can go to work right after graduation.
J.R. Richardson, of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, noted that the area is ripe for businesses using wood products. He said it makes him sick when he sees all the logging trucks hauling wood out of Ontonagon to Wisconsin.
Scott Roehm, former village president, gave an example of how the state can work better with entrepreneurs. He noted the length of time it takes to get a liquor license. He said owners of an area business were delayed because it took from last September until recently to even get a meeting.
Curtis urged the group to, "focus on 3-5 things and work on them," and then prioritize them. "Fix a couple of windows at a time," Richardson commented.
The governor said the area has the beautiful Porcupine Mountains, and Lake Superior and it can build on that. Curtis said "I felt it in Ontonagon today. I see a caring community. This is a beginning not an end to our involvement."
