Michigan Port Collaborative Forms Interim Steering Committee

DETROIT, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Port Collaborative, a
coalition of Michigan waterfront communities, today announced formation of an
Interim Steering Committee, comprised of local leaders from 19 Great Lakes
port communities in Michigan. The membership of the Interim Steering
Committee is attached.

The Interim Steering Committee will meet on Thursday, December 10, 2009 in
Lansing to recommend a permanent organizational structure that will advance
the Collaborative's goal to create an effective voice in Lansing and
Washington, D.C. It is expected that the organization will advocate for
policies and funding that will enable port communities to realize goals that
advance tourism, environmental restoration, transportation and overall
economic development.

"The Michigan Port Collaborative just completed our very successful Fall 2009
Summit during the last week of October," said John Kerr, speaking for the
Collaborative. "More than 150 participants attended, and we unanimously
agreed that the Collaborative should form an Interim Steering Committee to
formalize our structure and mission and maintain our forward momentum. These
19 members represent all corners of our State and include both commercial
cargo ports as well as smaller recreational harbors. I'm very grateful to
these local leaders for their support for the Collaborative and their
willingness to serve on this important Committee," Kerr stated.

Kerr reported that the 2009 Summit attendance more than doubled that of past
meetings, "which demonstrates the solid support and traction the Collaborative
has built. At the summit, we agreed to form a state/federal legislative
caucus to partner with port communities that join the Collaborative. We know
we are strongest together, and in the coming weeks we'll be meeting with state
and federal elected officials representing Michigan ports to develop our
common agenda."

A report on the Collaborative's Fall 2009 Summit proceedings will be issued in
December and will include the keynote address delivered by Lt. Governor John
Cherry, a strong and early supporter of the Collaborative.

"Lt. Governor Cherry's address helped our coastal communities envision how
they may develop themselves as "Michigan's Front Door", a phrase he coined to
help us guide future efforts to protect the Great Lakes and grow Michigan's
maritime economy and tourism," Kerr explained. "Together with key state and
federal agencies, private and non-profit partners, we are working to elevate
the recognition and economic vitality of our State's Great Lakes port
communities."

Michigan Port Collaborative
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Interim Steering Committee Membership List
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Blue, Dennis (Small Harbors Coalition / Onekema)
Cisneros, Marci (Grand Haven)
Ervin, Tim (Manistee)
Evashevski, Deb (St. Ignace)
Fairchild, Felicia (Saugatuck / Douglas)
Fogal, Marci (Port Huron)
Gilmet, Don (Alpena)
Hall, Beach (Rogers City)
Hoath, Linda (Sault Ste. Marie)
Kerr, John (Detroit / Wayne Co)
Pasakarnis, Helen (East Tawas)
Pott, Ken (St. Joseph)
Roberts, Shirley (Bay City)
Shanley, Lisa (South Haven)
Stanley, Pam (Monroe) *
Stewart, Greg (Luna Pier) *
Stonehouse, Fred (Marquette)
Stroud, Janessa (Muskegon)
Van Sumeren, Hans (Traverse City)

The first Interim Steering Committee meeting will occur on Thursday, December
10, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. It will be held in Constitution Hall
(DEQ Headquarters) in Lansing, Michigan.

* To be confirmed

SOURCE Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority

John Kerr, Director of Economic Development, Detroit/Wayne County Port
Authority, +1-313-331-3842 x311