Statement from NM Chamber Alliance on President Trump’s Support of Soo Locks

On Wednesday, May 2nd, Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Director of Government Relations Kent Wood issued the following statement in response to the comments of President Donald Trump regarding the construction of a new large Soo Lock.

Sault Ste. Marie, MI –

“On behalf of the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance – a partnership of 16 Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Organizations across northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula – we are thrilled to see President Trump’s declaration of support for rebuilding the Soo Locks, including a new large lock, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

While the local and regional economic impact of the Soo Locks is significant, this is not local or regional infrastructure. It is national infrastructure with national economic significance.

By now, we’ve all seen the economic studies and reports of the economic depression that would hit the United States should the Locks close for any significant period of time. What it all means in basic terms is that this is a national infrastructure imperative.

We understand that this important infrastructure resides in our backyard, and therefore we are prepared as a region and state to lead on behalf of the nation in advocating for this nationally significant project.

We appreciate the work of our state and federal legislative delegation, who have been active supporters – especially Congressman Jack Bergman, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, Governor Rick Snyder, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, and our State Senator Wayne Schmidt and State Representative Lee Chatfield. Their support has been tremendous and will be key to getting this important project finished.

It is time to spend the money to get this done.”