Chair's Letter

Collaboration has always been at the center of GSGP’s work. We work together as chief executives, with other governments, and with the private sector to deliver results for our region and our people.

We pride ourselves on the things we make and grow which is why we convened State and Provincial agriculture Directors, Ministers, and their teams in Detroit last month. They discussed ways to sustain agriculture in our region. We know that sustainable agriculture creates a more robust and resilient economy, healthier people, and environmental benefits including improved soil health, water quality, and water management.

One of our most challenging collaborations is directed at preventing invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes. It requires Illinois, Michigan, the federal government, and other partners making coordinated investments and solving difficult problems. We are delivering results with our progress and remain focused on our shared goal—protecting our Great Lakes.

We continue to focus on creating jobs, recently completing the annual meeting of our two tourism marketing partnerships--Cruise the Great Lakes and Great Lakes USA. Separately, we just wrapped up a GSGP trade mission to South Korea and Japan and we have two other missions to different countries planned later this year.

We are strongest when we collaborate. Thank you for your ongoing work with us.

Gretchen Whitmer
Chair, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers 
Governor, State of Michigan