Harbor Strategic Public Affairs

05/29/2026

MIRA Midwest Independent Retailers Association & Foundation's billboard is drawing focus to Michigan's bottle return system.

"MIRA President & CEO Bill Wild says grocery and convenience stores 'were never built to be de facto recycling centers,' calling for a modernized recycling system that better supports retailers, workers, and consumers."

To see the bottle bill billboard, you would have needed to be headed to Mackinac Island for annual policy conference.

05/29/2026

Learn more about the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance, whether you're on Mackinac Island or not!

Visit https://www.smarttradealliance.com/

The Michigan Smart Trade Alliance is on Mackinac Island!
We will be out and about at spreading our call for smart and consistent trade policies that are good for Michigan’s businesses and families. Get the details on our growing coalition online at smarttradealliance.com!
Detroit Regional Chamber

05/29/2026

The MIRA Midwest Independent Retailers Association & Foundation visited Doud’s Market on Mackinac Island to talk about why it’s time to remove dirty cans and bottles from our food stores. It’s time to Recycle the Bottle Bill!

05/28/2026

via
MLive.com's
Dani James
: "Mackinac Island ferry lines have threatened to halt service in 2027 if new franchise agreements aren’t reached, and Ware said some visitors are planning on looking elsewhere.

“That is an immediate pain for us,” Ware said. “We need to book these groups in advance, and when they’re looking somewhere else because of what they’re seeing in the news ... it impacts your bottom line.”

Mackinac Island business owners say a continued legal battle between the island and its ferry services over prices is threatening tourism revenues.

05/28/2026

"business and tourism leaders from the Fair Access to Mackinac Island Coalition met Wednesday, May 27, along with Sen. John Damoose and City of Mackinac Island attorney Erin Evashevski, at Grand Hotel to discuss the perceived threat the alleged ferry monopoly poses to Mackinac Island.

The coalition supports working toward an agreement that respects consumers and protects against unnecessary price increases, but still allows for fair profit."

A quest for common ground is the theme of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, but whether such a feat is possible for the City of Mackinac Island and Hoffmann Marine’s two ferry companies is still up for discussion.  Alongside the policy conference, business and tourism leaders from the Fair Acc...

05/28/2026

"Mackinac Island leaders say that ongoing disputes over ferry operations are causing concerns for visitors and businesses alike.

“You have a situation where one company owns all of the ferries and all of the docks, so competition is not even possible,” said Sen. John Damoose, who represents the island in the state Senate."

Multiple disputes are still ongoing between the island and the ferries' private owner.

05/27/2026

The Fair Access to Mackinac Island coalition held a media roundtable today, talking to members of the statewide media about the monopolistic ferry situation that families face while traveling to the island.

The coalition firmly supports the City of Mackinac Island in its fight to protect its authority to regulate public utilities like the ferry service. We strongly encourage Gov. Whitmer to sign SB 304 to clarify the City's existing powers.

05/26/2026

"Mackinac Island is Michigan's — and America's — crown jewel," said John Sellek, spokesman for the Fair Access to Mackinac Island Coalition, in a Sunday press release. "Yet, a single out-of-state firm holding monopoly control over public access to the island means that tourists and residents may be priced out of visiting, putting every worker and small business on Mackinac Island at risk."

Read the Detroit News story:

A private equity company owns both ferry lines to Mackinac Island. The city is fighting back and now the tourism bureau has taken a side.

05/25/2026

Michigan Smart Trade Alliance spokesperson John Sellek in the Midland Daily News on the effect of tariffs on Memorial Weekend BBQs:

"The backyard barbecue is not immune, either. A recent Michigan Smart Trade Alliance release pointed to higher prices for ground beef, lettuce, potato chips, tomatoes, mustard, beer and grilling tools, with spokesman John Sellek saying Memorial Day gatherings will be more expensive because of tariffs and other rising costs."

A guide to Midland-area summer events, from Memorial Day and the Summer Art Fair to fireworks, festivals, fairs and reasons to celebrate closer to home.

05/25/2026

"This situation exposes our biggest fears about what monopoly power could do to the economy of Mackinac Island," said John Sellek, spokesperson for the Fair Access to Mackinac Island Coalition.

"For a single entity to have bought all ferry companies and the city franchise agreements that came with them and then ignore those regulatory agreements, which are meant to protect tourists and residents, is a major concern to all of us."

State lawmakers weigh plan as peak summer season nears for one of Michigan's most popular travel destinations.

05/22/2026

Harbor’s John Sellek talked to The Morning Wake Up about the rise and fall of the Mike Duggan for Governor campaign and what it might tell us about the future of independent candidacies. (photo credit: Jordyn Hermani/Bridge Michigan)

Listen in using this link➡️ https://storage.googleapis.com/lur-podcasts/368/2026_05_22_916_189216_.mp3