Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema Recognized for Excellence in Conservation, Natural Resources and Economic Policy
Posted on: Friday, 6 October 2006, 09:00 CDT
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Forest Products Council (MFPC) announced that Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema (R-Wyoming) received the annual TUEBOR AWARD at a recent Board of Directors Meeting.
"Senator Sikkema's vision and leadership on public policy is unparalleled," said Michigan Forest Products Council Chair Margaret Minerick. "Senator Sikkema has a strong record as a defender of forests, the environment and the natural resource based economy."
The MFPC Board of Directors cited his action on recently enacted legislation this year to:
- Promote and expand the State's forest products industry, - Cut personal property taxes and eliminate the Single Business Tax (SBT), - Manage our state forests wisely, - Fund the new Forest Finance Authority with $26 million, - Enhance recreational opportunities and protect wildlife habitat; and - Create 10 forest products Renaissance Zones to stimulate investment and job creation.
"Tuebor" appears on the State flag and means "I will defend". The MFPC's Annual TUEBOR AWARD applauds leadership in support of natural resource policy that is so vital to Michigan's quality of life, environment and economy. Past recipients include Governor Jennifer Granholm and State Representative Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba).
"Senator Ken Sikkema demonstrated that forest products are both a contributor to Michigan's rich history and a major part of Michigan's economic future", added Minerick. "He recognized the job creation potential of this renewable, land based economy, which is so significant in Michigan."
Total economic benefits of Michigan's forest products industry in 2006 is $12 billion. The State has 19.3 million acres of forestland, including 4 million acres in a dedicated state forest system. Michigan has 312,500 private landowners owning over 10 million acres of private forests. This land base supports over 1,400 forest products manufacturing facilities in Michigan, with an additional 1,700 related businesses (logging, consulting, foresters, wholesalers, transportation).
"The Senator's strong actions strengthen Michigan's forest related economy, which is vital to the state's economic competitiveness, jobs and long-term stability," said Kevin Korpi, executive director of the Michigan Forest Products Council. "We greatly appreciate his outstanding effort to grow a sustainable industry in Michigan."
The Michigan Forest Products Council is a statewide trade association representing the forest products industry, which owns millions of acres of timberland and employs over 154,000 men and women in Michigan. The Council works to protect, promote and sustain a globally competitive forest products industry in Michigan.
Contact: Kevin W. Korpi Executive Director (517) 853-8880
Michigan Forest Products Council
CONTACT: Kevin W. Korpi, Executive Director of Michigan Forest ProductsCouncil, +1-517-853-8880
Web site: http://www.michiganforest.com/
Source: PRNewswire
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