Mike Lahti on Earth Day: Natural resources vital to jobs, tourism, recreation

HANCOCK -- On Earth Day, Apr. 22, State Senate candidate Mike Lahti highlighted the need to protect and use the Upper Peninsula's abundant natural resources to maintain and create jobs and preserve the U.P. way of life.

"The Upper Peninsula's woods and waters are what set us apart, and I have worked hard to protect our natural resources and promote the industries -- old and new -- that rely on them," said Lahti. "Our economy was built on using our land for mining and timber, and those same resources position us to create new jobs in growing fields like renewable energy."

Mike Lahti has been a longtime supporter of the established industries in the U.P. and will continue to fight to preserve and create good-paying jobs for the people of the Upper Peninsula. He has also promoted projects like the MTEC SmartZone at Michigan Tech and other efforts to diversify the Upper Peninsula's economy; and he is a strong advocate for using the U.P.'s trees, water and wind to create renewable energy and jobs.

"I have lived in the Upper Peninsula my whole life, and -- as a resident, businessman and outdoorsman -- I understand the importance of our environment to our economy and our natural heritage," Lahti said. "Our natural resources make the U.P. a good place to work and raise a family just as I have, and they are essential to the recreation and tourism opportunities that residents enjoy and bring in visitors from around the country. Earth Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our natural resources, but I will keep fighting to protect them every day."

Growing up in the U.P. and Hancock and raising his own family there, Mike Lahti has worked hard to protect Michigan’s natural resources. As a State Representative he has sponsored legislation to protect our waterways from invasive plants and fought to keep the Asian Carp out of our Great Lakes. His dedication to the Upper Peninsula’s way of life makes him a strong voice for the communities and businesses that depend on our natural resources for their economic well-being.

Mike Lahti is a candidate for the 38th District Senate seat, which stretches from Keweenaw County in the north to Menominee County in the south and from Luce County in the east to Gogebic County in the west in the Upper Peninsula. He is seeking to replace Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming), who is term-limited.