WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur presented legislation on Thursday that would create the Great Lakes Authority, a new federal entity that would promote regional growth in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana, Michigan. Minnesota. New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Great Lakes Authority was created as part the New Deal to boost the region’s economic development.
A statement from the Toledo Democrat said that even though the Great Lakes region is the industrial workhorse that powers America, new efforts are needed to catalyze the regions revitalization after decades of bad trade deals that outsourced-living-wage jobs and let industry atrophy.
The Great Lakes Authority will invest in workforce development, innovative technologies and manufacturing processes and responsible stewardship for our precious Great Lakes ecosystem. This statement was made by Kaptur. Kaptur’s bill would provide $30 million funding starting in fiscal year 2023. It would also fund the new entity with $50 million each subsequent fiscal year.
She stated that while the federal government has a variety of authorities, commissions and bureaus that help guide long-term development and conservation in other parts, it does not have the same support for the Great Lakes Region. The entity she would like to create would promote economic development, workforce education, restore and protect the Great Lakes ecosystem, foster innovation to expand manufacturing, and promote cleaner, more sustainable power generation; and establish and manage funding mechanisms to finance clean, green infrastructure, broadband infrastructure, and clean energy.
Baiju R. Shah, Greater Cleveland Partnership CEO, released a statement praising the legislation Kapturs introduced with support from Democrats Debbie Dingell and Dan Kildee of Michigan, Bobby Rush of Illinois, Brad Schneider of Illinois, Joe Morelle of New York, Paul Tonko in New York, and Gwen Moore from Wisconsin.
Shah stated that the Authority can act as a catalyst for regional economic growth, broadening regional prosperity, and protecting the world’s largest freshwater source. It will promote innovation, job growth, and talent in areas such as smart manufacturing, alternative energy, and water technology that are crucial to America’s competitiveness.
Supportive statements were also issued by the Northeast-Midwest Institute and American Great Lakes Ports Association.
According to Steve Fisher, Executive Director of American Great Lakes Ports Association, the Great Lakes Authority is a way for the federal government and the Great Lakes region to work together in economic recovery.
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