LANSING — State Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette) and state Rep, Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) testified in support of Cambensy’s House Resolution today, urging the state to show support for Cleveland-Cliffs Mining Company as they consider either reinvesting in their Empire Mine in Michigan, or transferring investment to Minnesota. The legislators then joined their House colleagues in voting in support of the resolution during House session.

“I was pleased to stand with my fellow U.P. representatives today to pass House Resolution 303. Having my colleagues recognize the significance of Cleveland Cliffs’ investment in our state is greatly appreciated,” said Cambensy. “I look forward to presenting both the House and Senate resolutions of support to Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves on Thursday.”

Cleveland Cliffs has been part of the regional U.P. economy for more than 170 years, and they still supply iron ore to the steel mills that support Michigan’s auto and manufacturing industries. The Empire Mine was idled in 2016, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity. Cambensy’s resolution encourages Cleveland-Cliffs to choose to reinvest in the Empire Mine, and argues that the state’s strict environmental standards will ensure responsible stewardship of the area’s natural resources as ore and other minerals are extracted.

“With this resolution, we are saying that the U.P. is open for business, and we welcome the investment that we hope Cleveland-Cliffs makes in the Empire Mine,” said Dianda. “I was pleased to support Rep. Cambensy’s resolution, and I hope this will help bring good jobs and better opportunities to U.P. families.”

House Resolution had bipartisan support with 38 co-sponsors including all U.P. legislators.