HOUGHTON COUNTY -- Local businesswoman and longtime Houghton County resident Janet Metsa recently announced her campaign for State Representative for the 110th State House District covering Keweenaw, Baraga, Houghton, Iron, Ontonagon, and Gogebic counties, plus Ishpeming and Powell townships in Marquette County.
"The Western UP is a unique place, far from Lansing," Metsa says. "I have deep family roots in the UP and understand the values we prize most. Our next state representative needs to understand our issues, and to be able to effectively communicate our needs to the state legislature. I believe my background and experience qualifies me to do that and to be a strong representative for the 110th District."
Metsa was born and raised in Houghton County with her 4 sisters and 1 brother on the farm her grandparents established during the Finnish migration in the early 1900s. Her parents operated a dairy farm in Chassell Township on the properties from both sets of grandparents for over 50 years. She graduated from Chassell Township Schools and then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she received a B.S and M.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1980.
She was employed at Eastman Kodak as a Development Engineer for 3 years and then at EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) as an Environmental Engineer in Durham NC until 1988. She returned to the Copper Country when her husband, Michael Mullins, accepted a faculty position at Michigan Technological University.
"Growing up on a Chassell dairy farm, and as a current landowner, I understand the need for wise management of our land and water resources," Metsa notes. "Forest products, minerals, and farm products have long been the financial base for the UP, and their sustainable use is essential for our economic future. Wise use of our natural resources should be balanced with maintaining the natural beauty and ecology of the western UP which attracts large numbers of visitors seeking an incomparable outdoors experience. We should ensure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy this same legacy."
Metsa is running as a Democrat focused on bringing new jobs and businesses to the area.
"As a business entrepreneur and former KEDA (Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance) Board member, Janet has been an important force in building the Western UP economy," said Philip Musser, former KEDA Executive Director and Smartzone Chairperson. "Janet not only started her own business but was also a key person on the KEDA board in designing and carrying out an aggressive economic development strategy for the Western UP at a time when businesses had closed and jobs had been lost. This is again a critical time when the Western UP needs to continue to reinvent its economy to create family sustaining jobs as it emerges from the pandemic. The Western UP region needs economic savvy leaders like Janet."
Once settled in the Copper Country, Metsa established a private consulting practice specializing in air and water environmental issues. Her clients include the EPA, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the American Chemical Council, private clients, and Argonne National Laboratories. Much of her consulting work focuses on database and model development combined with software development and review. These tools are used in assessing process sustainability and environmental impacts. She has had consulting collaborations with researchers from several universities and private industry.
In her campaign announcement, Metsa said, "Initiatives I would bring to Lansing include economic development, renewed infrastructure, ensuring public health, lower energy prices, and more autonomy for the UP on strategic issues of local importance. However, I believe the next two years will be consumed with economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Services such as education, public health, revenue sharing, pensions, and law enforcement will be under extreme budgetary pressures; and this district needs someone to make sure the UP gets their fair share of diminished state resources."
In 2005, Metsa established Vesitech, Inc. to explore the development and commercialization of water treatment technologies. She has been the recipient of several Phase I and Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants. Vesitech, Inc completed SBIR grants for Army Corps of Engineers (which resulted in a US Patent), the US Marine Corps (2), and NASA. For commercialization of the technologies developed, she collaborated with Cascade Designs, Inc. of Seattle, WA, a major supplier of outdoor gear for campers and the military.
Metsa's community service includes time as Treasurer of the Houghton County Democratic Party, Chair of the Houghton County Democratic Party, Portage Township Zoning Board of Appeals, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) Board member and Chair, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Council and Lutheran Campus Ministry Board and Chair. She is a 2002 alumni of the MSU/ISSPR Michigan Political Leadership program.
Fundraiser for Janet Metsa Monday, June 29, at Carmelita's
Friends of Janet Metsa will hold a fundraiser event for her campaign from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 29, at Carmelita's Outdoor Patio, 618 Oak Street, Calumet. The fundraiser is being held outside as a precaution during this time of Social Distancing. Masks are recommended.
Tickets are $25, Sponsor $50 and Host $100. Tickets may be purchased through ActBlue or at the event. No Cash. No Corporate Checks. Personal checks accepted. Please RSVP to info@friendsofjanetmetsa.com. Limited cash bar available.
Learn more about Janet Metsa and her campaign for the 110th District at friendsofjanetmetsa.com or on the Friends of Janet Metsa Facebook page.
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