Whitmer named chair of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday was named the next chair of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, a bipartisan transnational group that works to grow the economy of the Great Lakes Region and protect the Great Lakes. 

“I’m excited to announce Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be the next chair of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. Governor Whitmer has always been a great partner in our work together as governors and as members of the GSGP, and I am looking forward to her leadership and our continued work together protecting our Great Lakes,” said outgoing Chair and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers in a statement. 

Great Lakes St.Lawrence Governors and Premiers gathers executives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec and Wisconsin. 

At its most recent summit in Cleveland, the governors and premiers announced a number of accomplishments including: receiving commitments from 14 companies to use 100% of each commercially caught fish by 2025, encouraging local sustainability efforts and tree planting, supporting regional cruises of the Great Lakes and identifying ways to decarbonize Great Lakes shipping. 

“The Great Lakes define us as Michiganders, shaping our state and supplying drinking water, recreation, and economic opportunity to hundreds of millions of people,” Whitmer said in a statement. 

“My administration has made historic investments to protect the Great Lakes from pollution, build climate resilient infrastructure, and maintain natural resources. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers is at the forefront of grappling with the challenges we face in the region, from invasive species to the climate crisis. It is a unique honor to serve as chair, and I am excited to continue working to protect and preserve these waters for future generations,” Whitmer said.