Report shows Great Lakes-Seaway benefits Indiana the most
According to a report, Indiana is the state with the greatest economic impact from cargo handling by ports and terminals along the Great Lakes-Seaway system.
Ohio and Michigan landed a distant second and third, according to the “Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region” report.
In Indiana, 75,498 people were directly or indirectly employed because of the system. Business revenue topped $11 million. And more than $2 million in taxes were collected because of activity on the seaway.
The port at Burns Harbor specifically was mentioned as one that has steel mills and other operations that create a larger concentration of direct jobs.
The Burns Harbor port handled 3.45 million tons of cargo on Lake Michigan in 2022, a 2% increase from 2021, according to the Ports of Indiana. For the second consecutive year, the port exceeded its highest annual shipping total since its inception in 1970.
“As governor of Indiana, my mission is to increase Indiana’s global competitiveness and our ports play a critical role by bringing the world to Indiana and connecting Indiana to the world,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb in a press release.
Martin Associates, which has headquarters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, performed the analysis for the study. The study sponsors were the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. (U.S.), the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. (Canada), the American Great Lakes Ports Association, the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Lake Carriers’ Association and the Shipping Federation of Canada.
Read the full report here.
Obituary: Robert D. Perlewitz
Robert Donald Perlewitz 85, of Sturgeon Bay, died on July 24, 2023, at Door County Medical Center. He was born on December 31, 1937, in Algoma to Raymond and Martha (Karrer) Perlewitz. In 1958, he married Mary Johnson in Algoma.
For over 40 years, Robert (better known as “Bob” or “Perly” to friends and family) worked on the John Purves, an immaculately restored 1919 tugboat that is now docked at the Door County Maritime Museum. He was awarded several Naval Preservation Awards, a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his volunteer efforts, and many other write-ups and acknowledgments for his work and service. Bob had a lifelong passion for all things automotive, which included his cherished Thunderbird and an incredible collection of gas and oil memorabilia that brought in buyers and admirers from all over the country.
When he wasn’t working or collecting treasures, you could find him watching television with his beloved German Shepherds or telling outlandish stories about narrowly escaping from bears and surviving the Ice Bowl. Bob seemed to own his status as a grouch. He pushed people’s buttons and enjoyed riling people up; just ask his wife Mary or his three children, Jeff, Scott, and Chris. That being said, he was also a sentimental man who held onto as many family keepsakes and heirlooms as he could and always had a warm and loving smile for his great-grandson when he visited. He will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
Survivors include his wife; three children, Jeffrey (Heidi) Perlewitz, Sturgeon Bay; Scott (Chip) Perlewitz, Chattanooga, TN; Christine (Jeffrey) Heard, Brussels; one grandson, Timothy (Kari) Perlewitz, Green Bay; one great-grandson, Atlas Perlewitz; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents; three brothers, Harold, Raymond, and Gordon; one sister, Patricia; and a brother-in-law, James.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, at Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay with Rev. Paul Graf officiating. Burial will be in Clay Banks Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home on Monday.
