There are thousands of islands in the Great Lakes – most of them small and only suitable for wildlife. But a few have year-round residents, and there is a burgeoning plan to create an islands coalition.
Year-round communities like Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie’s South Bass Island face challenges that aren't found on the mainland. Peter Huston, who works for Put-in-Bay’s Chamber of Commerce, says, “It’s being able to have a reasonable year-round economy, transportation, food.”
Other islands have these problems, too. And what if they could all work together?
That was the goal of this week’s Great Lakes Island Summit, a days-long conversation about the challenges of island life.
The idea comes from the Maine Island Institute, a group that supports 15 islands around the state.
But the Great Lakes Island Coalition would be a little different. “We are a collection of several states and provinces, so in order for us to be able to solve some problems we’re going to have to work as a greater group,” explains Huston.
Huston says one idea presented at the summit is a passport program to attract tourism to all the Great Lakes islands.
Twelve islands were represented at the summit including Canada’s Pelee Island, and Harsen’s Island near Detroit.
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