It's a side of the debate we haven't heard much about: those that are pro-mining, for the sake of jobs coming to the area
MARQUETTE -- It's a side of the debate we haven't heard much about: those that are pro-mining, for the sake of jobs coming to the area. And Saturday, construction and trade workers, teachers, and those with the mining industry, among others, came out in support of the U.P.'s 150-year-old mining heritage.
A couple hundred people turned out Saturday afternoon at Harlow Park in Marquette with signs, marching in support of companies that want to put "Yoopers" to work. Those in attendance said they were in support of mining jobs brought to the area, as long as those mines can be constructed safely.
"And we've got to work together, work together in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan to make sure that we can maintain that quality of life that we have and make sure that we have the jobs that we need," says State Representative Gary McDowell.
"There's folks that are ready to have another rally in the not-too-distant future, just to say we need jobs here in the Upper Peninsula," says Tony Retaskie of the U.P. Construction Council. "Our unemployment rate is far too high, and if you look at Baraga County, that's nearly 30 percent, that's just too much."
The event was sponsored by the U.P. Construction Council.
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