GLIN==> Submission

Michigan Port Community Representatives Invited
to Collaborative Summit in Lansing, October 28-29, 2009

Contact:  Chuck Pistis – 1-888-458-6805 or Mark Breederland – 1-231-922-4628

Representatives of Michigan's Great Lakes ports­from Detroit to DeTour 
village, from Saginaw to Saugatuck­are invited to gather in Lansing October 
28-29 to chart a course for their collective future at the third Michigan 
Port Collaborative Summit.

Summit organizer Carol Linteau, Collaborative Coordinator, of Michigan’s 
Department of Environmental Quality says that the key to a successful 
summit is participation by local delegations with diverse perspectives and 
ideas. She says that this includes elected officials; tourism, recreation, 
and convention and visitor bureau leaders; economic development 
specialists; cargo shipping, ferry, marina, and harbor operators; and 
museum, lighthouse, and Great Lakes underwater sanctuary and preserve leaders.

In addition to a keynote address from Lt. Gov. John Cherry on “Coastal 
Communities:  Michigan’s Front Door,” participants will hear presentations 
on trends and opportunities in Great Lakes port communities; setting an 
agenda for Michigan cargo port communities; advancing goals of Michigan 
small harbors; effective regional port partnerships; discovering and 
promoting Michigan’s maritime heritage; ensuring universal and remote 
access to the Michigan port and Great Lakes experience; identifying 
incentives for Great Lakes port excursions.

Linteau says that this will be a working meeting, too. “We will discuss 
three important proposals which we think are key to Michigan port 
communities’ success in working together to achieve common goals:
(1)   Initiating a Michigan Port Legislative Caucus
(2)   Michigan Port Community Designation Process
(3)   Exploring a Collaborative Support Structure

Early registration deadline for the event is Thursday, October 22, and the 
cost is $40; walk-in registration is $60. To register and for a detailed 
agenda, maps and directions, go to: 
<http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops>www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops and 
select “Upcoming DEQ workshops”, or by contacting the DEQ’s Environmental 
Assistance Center at 1 800 662 9278, or e-mail at 
<mailto:deq-ead-env-assist at michigan.gov>deq-ead-env-assist at michigan.gov.

“Michigan Sea Grant is co-sponsoring the event as part of our working hand 
in hand with these coastal communities to enhance their economies in 
sustainable ways,” says district Sea Grant Extension educator Mark 
Breederland of northwestern Michigan. “Our experience with other groups has 
shown that individual communities can accomplish more when they cooperate. 
We’re pleased to work with so many partners to help achieve this goal.”

Other co-sponsors are: Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Townships 
Association, Michigan Association of Counties, Community Economic 
Development Association of Michigan, Michigan Boating Industries 
Association, Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Cool 
Cities, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Detroit/Wayne County Port 
Authority, Pure Michigan, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan 
State Housing Development Authority, American Planning Association-Michigan.

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s 
coastal/Great lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A 
collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State 
University, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA National Sea Grant 
network of more than 30 university-based programs.
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