Senator Gary Peters stops in Alpena on second day of motorcycle tour

ALPENA, Mich. — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) visited Alpena today on the second day of his annual motorcycle tour across Michigan.  The Senator talked about how the American Rescue Plan has helped Alpena.

He toured and rode the Lady Michigan 65-foot passenger ship, which received a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that Peters championed and helped to extend.

“My annual motorcycle tour is a great way to hear from Michiganders across our state, and I was thrilled to be back in Alpena and see how American Rescue Plan relief is helping this community get through this pandemic,” said Senator Peters. “We’re seeing meaningful benefits of this relief package, which have been vital to the local economy and community as we work to emerge even stronger from this pandemic.”

“Senator Peters has been an incredible ally to Thunder Bay,” said Katie Wolf with Friends of Thunder Bay National Sanctuary. “Thunder Bay is a key economic driver in Northeast Michigan and vital to our regional economy, and this past year has been a major challenge for everyone. Thanks to the Senator Peters’ work to pass the American Rescue Plan, Lady Michigan has been up-and-running and we were able to save 17 jobs and keep it operating. We’re grateful for his efforts that continue to make a difference for Alpena.”

“It was great to welcome Senator Peters back to Alpena — he’s been a champion for Northeast Michigan,” said Don MacMaster, President for Alpena Community College. “I’m glad that Senator Peters is highlighting the successes of the American Rescue Plan that he helped enact, including the relief Alpena Community College received through the bill. With this support, Alpena Community College is able to provide financial help to students experiencing hardship because of this pandemic and modernize classrooms that is important to student and staff safety and upgrading technology to improve student learning. Time and time again, Senator Peters has stepped up for ACC and the greater Alpena community, and we look forward to continue working with him.”