Area legislators in D.C. propose new 'Great Lakes Authority'

WASHINGTON — A group of U.S. representatives from throughout the Great Lakes region has signed on to a bill, recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, aiming to create a new entity dedicated to developing the area's communities and conserving its vital natural resources.

The legislation, referred to as the Great Lakes Authority Act, would establish a new federal body that would solely seek to advance solutions to issues facing the region's eight area states: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

For years, Kaptur has stressed the importance of the Great Lakes, which she noted comprises 20% of the world’s fresh water, and has helped the region develop into the "core of the United States’ commercial and defense industrial base."

'Great Lakes region is the industrial workhorse'

Kaptur, chair of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee and co-chair of the bipartisan House Great Lakes Task Force, noted that while numerous federal agencies deal exclusively with environmental conservation in other parts of the country, the Great Lakes region does not. 

"The Great Lakes region is the industrial workhorse that powers America," Kaptur said in a statement. "But after decades of bad trade deals that outsourced living-wage jobs and fomented deindustrialization — the need for a robust new partnership that catalyzes regional revitalization is abundantly clear."

In addition to Kaptur, eight other Democratic representatives in the U.S. House have backed the bill,  including Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan, Bobby Rush of Illinois, Paul Tonko of New York, Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Dan Kildee of Michigan, Brad Schneider of Illinois, Joseph Morelle of New York, and Haley Stevens of Michigan. 

If passed, the legislation would fund the Great Lakes Authority with $30 million beginning in fiscal year 2023, and $50 million each following year,

The agency would use the funding to invest in economic development efforts, expanding domestic manufacturing while also pursuing more sustainable power by financing clean energy, green infrastructure and water infrastructure. 

Great Lakes Authority would pursue workforce training

The agency would also pursue workforce development efforts through education and training in areas that have been disproportionately affected by outsourcing, according to the legislation. 

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Kaptur said these innovative investments administered by the Great Lakes Authority would "unleash the heartland’s full potential for this 21st century."

The legislation was supported from officials working on both the east and west sides of Lake Erie.

"The bill rightly identifies the assets of the region, as well as challenges that can be addressed through planning and investment, that will not only benefit the region, but improve the entire nation’s economic security and global leadership," said Frank Calzonetti, vice president of research at the University of Toledo.

Baiju R. Shah, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, said the new authority could be the "catalyst" for economic growth throughout the region.

Shah praised the legislation for how it could foster multi-state collaboration in both the public and private sectors and pursue alternative energy solutions that will be critical to staying competitive well into the future. 

jstinchcom@gannett.com 

419-680-4897 

Twitter: @JonDBN