Bill Text: MI HR0303 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to endorse continued investment in Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and to encourage a partnership between the state of Michigan and Cleveland-Cliffs to support Cliffs' reinvestment in the Empire Mine in Richmond Township.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-05-01 - Adopted [HR0303 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HR0303-Enrolled.html
Reps. Cambensy, Dianda, Chirkun, Hertel, LaFave, Elder, Gay-Dagnogo, Clemente, Ellison, Hammoud, Kelly, Love, Sneller, Brann, Chang, Chatfield, Durhal, Frederick, Garrett, Geiss, Glenn, Green, Greig, Jones, Kosowski, Lauwers, Leutheuser, Liberati, Marino, Maturen, Moss, Peterson, Scott, Sowerby, Victory, Wittenberg, Yancey, Yanez and Zemke offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 303.
A resolution to endorse continued investment in Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and to encourage a partnership between the state of Michigan and Cleveland-Cliffs to support Cliffs' reinvestment in the Empire Mine in Richmond Township.
Whereas, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has a long and storied history in the state of Michigan. The company's first iron ore mine was founded in this state, and for more than 170 years, Cliffs has been contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to local and state economies. The low-grade iron ore mines operated by Cleveland-Cliffs in Marquette County are the lifeblood of many area residents, and manufacturers throughout the state and nation rely on the steel produced from Cliffs' iron ore pellets; and
Whereas, Closing or idling a mining operation has a significant impact to rural communities. At the height of mining in the Upper Peninsula in 1917, mines employed more than 20,000 people in the three major iron and copper ranges. When Cleveland-Cliffs' Republic Mine idled in 1983, it displaced 750 employees and did not reopen. In 1980, the company employed 4,000 people in Marquette County, a number that dropped to 2,000 in the 1990s and continued to dwindle to approximately 1,000 after the Empire Mine idled in 2016. For a short time in 1982, the unemployment rate in Marquette County hit a peak of 29.7 percent, due to the recession, steel industry consolidation, and mining job losses; and
Whereas, The continued idling of Cleveland-Cliffs' Empire Mine would have a significant impact on the economy and local employment opportunities. A recent estimate projected that the impact of idling the mine is approximately $200 million annually in total lost economic activity, which will continue if the mine is permanently closed. The indefinite idle of the Empire Mine impacted approximately 300 jobs; and
Whereas, The continued operation of Cleveland-Cliffs' Empire Mine is beneficial to the company and our state. As the company evaluates the next generation of mining investments, the Empire Mine is ideal for long-term success. The Empire Mine can be a productive mine for years to come, capitalizing on existing assets and infrastructure and supporting responsible stewardship of the environment. As the need for domestic steel and metal products grows, the company stands to benefit from the renewed statewide and national commitment to upgrade America's infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we endorse continued investment in Michigan's Upper Peninsula by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and encourage a partnership between the state of Michigan and Cleveland-Cliffs to support Cliffs' reinvestment in the Empire Mine in Richmond Township; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the members of the Marquette County Board of Commissioners, the members of the Tilden Township Board of Supervisors, the members of the Richmond Township Board of Supervisors, the Board of Directors of the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress, and Mr. Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President, and CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio.
