Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
LANSING — The Gogebic Range’s two representatives in Lansing have introduced legislation that would allow the state to sell the former Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marenisco.
Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, and Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, issued a joint statement announcing the legislation Wednesday.
“The surprise closure of the Ojibway Correctional Facility was a loss to the people of Marenisco and Gogebic County,” McBroom said in the statement. “The impact of the prison’s closure has been felt deep and wide. In addition to the prison jobs lost, area businesses have lost out on tens of millions of dollars in economic activity through no fault of their own and families have moved away. The ripple effects of the closure are still being felt.”
Marenisco Township Supervisor Richard Bouvette said he has been in contact with McBroom’s office and supports the legislation.
“It sounds like a good idea to me, I hope it goes through,” he said.
The Michigan Department of Corrections closed Ojibway in December 2018. It employed roughly 200 people prior to its closure.
Bouvette said he thinks there may be a potential buyer for the site, but wasn’t sure how far along in the process things were, adding the purchase may depend on what the facility is priced at.
In May, the Daily Globe reported Bouvette said at a township board meeting that a buyer from Chicago may be interested in using the site of the former prison as a farm to grow, process and test marijuana.
McBroom also said he and Markkanen are continuing to work on securing state funding that was promised following the closure.
“This legislation will return the property to the tax roll as well as offer potential employment with future businesses that purchase the facility,” said Markkanen. “We have been working with local community leaders on ideas for the site’s redevelopment and appreciate all of their efforts to that end.”
The two bills — House Bill 6150 and Senate Bill 1075 — would allow the state Department of Management and Budget to sell the facility.
SB 1075 was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration, according to the statement, while HB 6150 was referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
