Port Huron is the Vital Component of our Entire Waterfront Region

Posted on March 27, 2008

PRESS RELEASE

LEXINGTON VILLAGE PRESIDENT:
“PORT HURON IS THE HUB OF OUR REGION”

March 2008-- Port Huron, MI --- At the 3rd Downtown Summit hosted by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Dan Maliniak, the Village President of Lexington, said, “Port Huron is the vital component of our entire waterfront region.”

The comment came as Maliniak was discussing the success of downtown Lexington and its desire to see a healthy downtown Port Huron.  He made the comments in front of 25 people representing the waterfront downtowns from Algonac up to Port Sanilac who gathered on March 7th at the Lake Huron Retreat Center for the 3rd Summit in an ongoing series.  This Summit was organized jointly by the Sanilac County Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

David Gillis, the executive vice president of the St. Clair Chamber of Commerce echoed Maliniak’s sentiments.  “It’s about time all of our waterfront downtowns started collaborating as a region” he said, “And our region needs a healthy and vibrant downtown Port Huron.”

Since early January the Foundation has been facilitating discussions around the creation of Vision Plan for the region’s waterfront communities.  According to Chuck Kelly, chairman of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, “We’ve been a bit surprised on two fronts; first the agreement on the importance of a healthy and vibrant downtown Port Huron, and secondly on the willingness for these organizations and government entities to work together as a waterfront region.”

The three Summits held so far have resulted in two clear areas of common interest:  a) Regional Marketing, Advertising and Promotions, and b) Small Business & Entrepreneurial support. 

“As a result of this ongoing process we’re already looking at developing a closer partnership with the Blue Water Convention & Visitor’s Bureau,” added Kelly.  “If these participants feel that our best opportunity for collaboration is through marketing and advertising our region, then our Foundation wants to explore that further.”

Marci Fogal, director of the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau has already organized a meeting with State Representative Phil Pavlov to discuss any opportunities for securing support from Lansing for a regional marketing effort.

“All of our downtowns can benefit if we organize and act as a true waterfront region,” concluded Maliniak.