CLICK TO LISTEN TO JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH BERGMAN
Upper Peninsula Congressman Jack Bergman was in Escanaba Wednesday to take part in an event at Bay College to talk with local businesses about the process for getting a federal contract.
“My role here today is to, more or less, to give the people perspective at the higher governmental level about the challenges there are in dealing with government contracts,” Bergman told RRN News Wednesday morning. “They’re not simple. They’re complex, and they’re more complex than they need to be. That’s why I’m here today, is to talk to those folks about that, and more to listen to what the questions they might have, and see where we can be a pertner when it comes to sharing information.”
Escanaba was the fifth stop today in a four-month statewide tour to support Michigan defense-related businesses. The “Arsenal of Innovation” event aims to inform and assist Michigan companies that are interested in pursuing contracts with Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The event was hosted by the Michigan Defense Center, which is part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and keynoted by U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (Watersmeet). Additional forums will be held around the state through October.
“Michigan, known as the Arsenal of Democracy since WWII, has evolved into the nation’s Arsenal of Innovation for defense,” said Sean Carlson, executive director of the Michigan Defense Center. “Michigan companies are at the leading edge of technological advancements and experimentation and we are proud to be here today with Congressman Bergman in Escanaba to support Michigan companies and look forward to the future.”
The “Arsenal of Innovation” event provided an overview of the federal contract process and grant program assistance from the Michigan Defense Center. The event also gave participants opportunities to learn business-growth strategies from prime defense contractors and introduced companies to government-sponsored resources to grow their businesses.
Today’s event in Escanaba was modeled off an event hosted by the Michigan Defense Center in Washington D.C. last November for the Michigan Congressional Delegation. That event highlighted Michigan companies including General Dynamics, BAE, and 14 other medium and small companies from across the state that are creating advanced technologies for the defense industry. Most of Michigan’s congressional representatives and senators participated and showed their support for Michigan’s defense industry.
Defense is a multi-billion-dollar industry of Michigan’s economy, supporting more than 126,000 Michigan jobs. Nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses are currently serving the nation’s defense industry – from information technology solutions and construction services to generating energy-saving ideas that can be applied in the field.
