September 1, 2009

Great Lakes Restoration Could Bring Jobs, Boost Economy

In a recent Detroit News article, Michigan Sea Grant’s Lynn Vaccaro noted that restoration of the Great Lakes could mean cleaner waters, but also an economic boon for the state and region.

Congress recently discussed doubling its funding commitment to the Great Lakes, adding up to $475 million for restoration to deter invasive species, clean up polluted sites and create jobs – taking the total restoration funds close to $1 billion.

Vaccaro commented that investing in restoration is an investment in the region and particularly in Michigan.

She pointed out that 58 percent of the Great Lakes' U.S. shorelines are in Michigan, as are 44 percent of the contaminated "areas of concern" in U.S. feeder rivers and harbors. Drawing on an analysis by the Brookings Institution, Vaccaro predicts that if $475 million was appropriated annually over five years, about $2 billion to $4.3 billion in economic activity could be created in Michigan.

To read more about the connection between the Great Lakes economy and the health of the lakes, see: Report

For the full story, see: Detroit News

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