Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
Ontonagon – Village President Tony Smydra brought the village council good news Monday about a Dec. 2 visit with Jessica Frost, the president and CEO of LakeShore Systems in Iron Mountain.
Councilman Don Chastan and MEDC Fellow Michael Burznski also attended the meeting with Frost.
Frost told the men that LakeShore looks to better utilize its resources in Ontonagon, according to Smydra, as well as expand its operations and utilize the facility to its maximum potential.
The Ontonagon operation has filled its first shift and is now recruiting for a second shift, Frost told the village representatives. She also noted that LakeShore has enough work for a third shift, as well as a weekend shift.
In addition to fulfilling its own contracts, Smydra said he was told LakeShore is also entered into sub-contracting status for some of its competitors due to its ability to provide quality products and timely delivery.
“What LakeShore is lacking is qualified workers to take advantage of even more business opportunities,” Smydra said. “LakeShore intends to double the crane capacity at the Ontonagon location to take on larger projects. They look to move more of the Navy projects to Ontonagon because of the harbor being able to move their products that are too big for railways.”
He added that LakeShore anticipates fully utilizing the second building at the site by spring.
The council president said he, Chastan and Burznski covered a number of subjects with the CEO.
“Our community has long been known for its dynamic work ethic and its loyalty to its corporate partners. The partnering with LakeShore can serve as a template for future commercial and industrial growth whereby the relationship is mutually beneficial,” Smydra concluded. “As a result of last week’s exchange we will be meeting with LakeShore Industries on a quarterly basis for the foreseeable future.