Operation Action U.P. Announces 2011 Award Winners

Jan 30th, 2012

Operation Action U.P. Announces 2011 Award Winners

Marquette, MI � Operation Action U.P. held its Annual Meeting last week in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center at Northern Michigan University. The keynote speaker was Dr. Susan Hedman. Dr. Hedman was appointed by President Barack Obama to be EPA Region 5 Administrator on Earth Day 2010. She directs EPA�s operations in the six-state Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as 35 federally recognized tribal governments. One of her most important roles is that of Manager of the Great Lakes National Program Office, which oversees restoration and protection of the largest freshwater system in the world. Millions of people depend upon the Great Lakes for drinking water and millions more recreate in and around the Great Lakes.

Mr. Doug Smith, senior vice president of strategic partnerships, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), addressed the crowd on the importance of collaboration. Mr. Smith works with MEDC�s statewide network of local and regional economic development partners and integrating economic gardening, international trade and entrepreneur efforts.

A panel of mining experts gave a presentation during the luncheon. The panel included Mr. Adam Burley, president, Rio Tinto Kennecott Eagle Minerals; Mr. Dave Anderson, director of health, safety and environment and government relations, Orvana Resources U.S. Corp � Copperwood Project; and Mr. Mick Lawler, senior mine manager, HudBay Minerals Inc.

The most important part of the day was announcing the Operation Action U.P. Award winners. Award winners are outstanding businesses or major institutional employers who have contributed to the economic well being of their area in the Upper Peninsula. Nominations were solicited from businesses, chambers of commerce, economic developers and the general public across the U.P.

�Operation Action U.P.�s role in the future development and growth of the regional economy is vitally important given our rapidly economic, political and resource climates,� said Dr. Tawni Ferrarini, co-chair of Operation Action U.P.

Brett French, co-chair of Operation Action U.P. adds, �Operation Action U.P. has long since held the tradition of recognizing noteworthy accomplishments of various U.P. businesses at its Annual Meeting. 2011 was no exception, as we highlighted the accomplishments of the recipients of the 2011 Operation Action U.P. Business Excellence Awards. Operation Action U.P. is a staunch advocate for U.P. businesses, working tirelessly to develop and diversify the regional economy while retaining and creating additional family sustaining jobs.�

The 2011 Awards of Excellence winners honored at the meeting were:

Western Lime Corporation, Gulliver, MI www.westernlime.com

Western Lime Corporation is a Wisconsin based company with lime manufacturing operations in Fond du Lac, WI, Green Bay, WI and Gulliver, MI. Western Lime Corporation is the result of a 1921 merger of eight Wisconsin Lime producers, the oldest of which predated the State of Wisconsin's entry into the Union. Today, the descendants of one of the original families carry on a six- generation commitment to its customers, the business, and the industry.

Western Lime has long been involved in Michigan�s economy. Since 1921, Western Lime�s Green Bay, WI plant has processed limestone sourced from quarries located in Michigan. In 2007, Western completed construction of a new state of the art lime plant in Gulliver, MI. This flag-ship plant efficiently produces 250,000 tons of lime annually. The Gulliver Plant�s high calcium lime is used in environmental applications such as drinking water treatment, flue gas desulfurization and iron ore mining and a wide range of industrial customers such as steel and paper manufacturers located throughout the Midwest.

Western Lime�s Gulliver, MI plant employs 25 people and is located at 181 Cty Rd 432, Gulliver, MI.

Potlatch, Gwinn, MI www.potlatchcorp.com

Potlatch is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with approximately 1.45 million acres of timberland in Arkansas, Idaho and Minnesota. Potlatch, a verified forest practices leader, is committed to providing superior returns to stockholders through long-term stewardship of its forest resources. The company also conducts a land sales and development business and operates wood products manufacturing facilities through its taxable REIT subsidiary.

Basic Marine, Escanaba, MI www.basicmarine.com

Situated on 38 acres of waterfront property in the naturally protected harbor of northern lake Michigan�s Little Bay de Noc, Basic Marine�s services reach customers from across the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico via the Illinois and Mississippi waterways, �around the horn� to the West Coast, to the East Coast via the St. Lawrence River or the Erie Canal, and anywhere in between.

Ever since 1979, Basic Marine has been serving their customers throughout the nation by providing custom-built steel vessels, drydocking for marine repairs, specialty hauling of customers� heavy, oversized equipment and much more.

From barges to buoys to ferries, quality prevails at Basic Marine. Their custom-built steel vessels are delivered on-time, with workmanship, paint and equipment warranties, at competitive prices.

With 20-25 permanent employees and anywhere from 7-20 subcontractors working for them at any given time, Basic Marine has huge economic impact in Delta County and beyond. According to Economic Modeling Specialists, the average wage per worker in Delta County for ship building is $40,000. Certainly a family sustaining wage for our region. Additionally, according to EMSI for every shipbuilding job in Delta County, two other jobs are created. Ultimately Basic Marine is supporting 75 of our residents as a net-exporter, by bringing in dollars and wealth from outside the area.

There are no other shipbuilders of Basic Marine�s size and capabilities in the state of Michigan, and the company holds its own in a competitive U.S. market with long term relationships with the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Geographical Survey and Department s of Transportation among others.

To date, Basic Marine has completed 208 vessels, and has another one underway.