In Northeast Wisconsin, we make things. And our economy relies on the Great Lakes to ship these goods from point A to point B.
In fact, it's not just Northeast Wisconsin that relies on the Great Lakes. Businesses across this region use them as a means of trade. And this water-based commerce across the Great Lakes ultimately supports nearly 150,000 jobs and over $20 billion in economic activity each year.
But last winter we lost over $1 billion because ports froze over and we lacked sufficient icebreaking in places like Green Bay. And we've seen similar losses in other years as well. This is unacceptable. We're no strangers to cold weather in the Frozen Tundra, and we shouldn't allow ice to prevent Wisconsin businesses from shipping their goods during winter months.
