Greetings from District Governor Brian Robertson (Oct 03, 2018)

Mark Your Calendars

October 9 – Community Center Discussion @ Chamber of Commerce, 7:00 pm
October 20 – Neighbor to Neighbor (look for the sign up)
October 27 – Rotary Leadership Training, Kettunen Center in Tustin (near Cadillac)

Service Opportunity

Karen Noreen suggested the club adopt a highway cleanup project.The location would be along M21 between Cumberland and West Street. Cleanup is done three times a year in April, July and September. This is a six-year commitment.

IT WAS MOVED BY WHITE and seconded by LAWARRE to approved the highway cleanup project along M21 between Cumberland and West Street. Motion carried.

A Visit from the District Governor

District Governor Brian Robertson from Sault Ste. Marie, Canada visited Lowell Rotary on Wednesday, September 19th to share his vision for District 6290. We are grateful for the time we were able to spend with this wonderful leader. Here are some highlights from his presentation:

DG Robertson was born in Ireland and immigrated to Canada in 1964. He has been married to his lovely wife Leona for 48 years. After settling in Canada he started a commercial tire business.
The District Governor commended the Lowell Rotary Club for its generous support of the Rotary Foundation. The foundation has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator and 91% of the money contributed go directly to sustainable projects from around the world.
He spoke about the fight against polio. We are so close to eradicating the disease, but we cannot stop the fight. Rotary International has partnered with the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Every dollar given to the Polio Plus Campaign will be double by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
All are invited to the District 6290 Conference to be held in Sault Ste. Marie.

Come Fly with Grand Rapids: A Visit from Gerald R. Ford International Airport Manager

Kent County Commissioner/Kent County Airport Board member Roger Morgan introduced Airport Manager Jim Gill. Gill stated he is recently new to the area and had previously been the Airport Manager for Pittsburgh International Airport.The Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s mission statement is “Create an Exceptional Travel Experience”. Their vision is to be the “Global Leader Recognized for Customer Excellence Safety and Innovation”.

Airport Statistics:

3,121 Acres
70 Businesses located in the Airport
2400 Employees
3.1 billion economic impact

Carriers:

Allegiant
American Airlines
Delta

Growth:

Nonstop destinations go to 26 airports and the facility has grown 5.95% in 2017

They hope to have future destinations in Boston and the West Coast.

This past March was their highest passenger level in history

Financial Status:

No tax dollars are given to the airport.They are 100% self-sustaining.

Accomplishments:

Consolidated Check In
Business Center
Military Welcome Center

Gateway Transformation Sponsors:

Spartan Nash
Spectrum Health
Wolverine Worldwide

Next Phase:

Baggage Claim

Economic Development:

Sixteen different development sites remain in the property

Phase II:

Air Traffic Control Tower – moved
Concourse A – additional gates
Economic development
Customer Service