Dear Great Lakes Manufacturing Council (GLMC) Members:

As you would have learned this week from Sherm Johnson, President of the GLMC, and Ed Wolking, past President and co-founder of the GLMC, the board of directors of the GLMC has decided to cease the organization's operations and pass on it's focus on Great Lakes manufacturing and activities to the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) after determining that many of the GLMC's founding goals have been accomplished.

After 10 years of bringing people together to work individually and collectively to improve the conditions for successful manufacturing in the bi-national Great Lakes region, I would like to applaud the GLMC board and the organization's members for serving as a strong voice for Great Lakes manufacturing since 2007, especially during the recent Great Recession which created significant downward pressure on the manufacturing sector globally.

As Great Lakes manufacturing strengthens, there are a range of issues however, from the region’s regulatory environment and demographic headwinds, to trade policy, automation, infrastructure renewal, and supply chain connectivity and resiliency that will need to be monitored, understood and acted on.

Therefore, as the GLMC ceases operations, the Council of the Great Lakes Region is recognizing your contributions as a GLMC member by making you an automatic annual member of CGLR with full benefits, which includes discounted rates and occasions to speak at events like the annual Great Lakes Economic Forum, opportunities to submit articles and advertise in the Current magazine and participate in member-only sector roundtables and briefings, and the chance to join the board of directors and lead policy working groups.

You can learn more about CGLR, its board of directors and honorary patrons, and activities here. The Council's overarching goals include: