ON THE JOB FOR MICHIGAN: Port Director Paul LaMarre Emphasizes Senator Peters’ Efforts to Deliver Results for Port of Monroe

WASHINGTON, DC – In a new video from U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) office, Captain Paul LaMarre III, Director of the Port of Monroe and President of the American Great Lakes Ports Association, emphasizes Peters’ efforts to help support the Port of Monroe and position it for long-term success. The video is part of the On the Job for Michigan series, which highlights Peters’ leadership and advocacy on behalf of constituents and communities across Michigan.  

“Senator Peters has supported the Port of Monroe, not just from our efforts to create Michigan’s first marine container terminal, which will be known as Michigan’s Maritime Gateway, but he also championed a number of grant efforts that have led to improved infrastructure and equipment that will put the port at the cutting edge of the next generation of Great Lakes shipping,” said LaMarre.  

Watch Captain LaMarre’s On the Job for Michigan video here. You can also see the video posted on X/Twitter. 

“The Port of Monroe is a critical resource for our Michigan manufacturers and our partners across the Great Lakes Region,” said Senator Peters. “I’ll continue to work alongside Captain LaMarre to help strengthen operations and ensure the Port of Monroe continues to play an important role in transporting the commodities and products that families and businesses rely on every day.” 

  During his time in the Senate, Peters has prioritized strengthening Michigan’s shipping ports, including the Port of Monroe. Since 2020, Peters has helped to secure nearly $13 million in grant funding for the port, including investments to expand cargo capacity, purchase new crane equipment and upgrade cargo screening infrastructure. In 2024, LaMarre testified during a Commerce Subcommittee field hearing convened by Peters to examine the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on Michigan’s transportation infrastructure. In 2021, Peters toured the Port of Monroe with Customs and Border Protection officials to discuss cargo clearance challenges facing the port.  

Peters has also worked alongside LaMarre and other stakeholders to support Michigan’s maritime workforce. In 2023, Peters’ bipartisan Changing Age-Determined Eligibility to Student Incentive Payments (CADETS) Act was signed into law, expanding the Student Incentive Payment Program eligibility age for financial assistance to cadets who attended one of the six State Maritime Academies and commit to a post-graduation service obligation to include any qualified student who will meet the age requirements for enlistment in the U.S. Navy Reserve at their time of graduation.  

  ###