By Jason Raiche
ESCANABA - Lakestate Industries announced plans to expand its business and services into Marquette during a recent visit by Michigan State Sen. Tom Casperson.
According to Lakestate Industries Executive Director Cheryl Ohman, the idea for a Marquette facility is still in the beginning stages.
"At this point, our goal is to expand our services into Marquette," said Ohman. "There's nothing like Lakestate in Marquette right now. It used to be the Marquette Work Center up there and Pathways owned and operated it, and they chose to close it. So I'm working with a committee right now that's basically putting together a capital campaign, and opening up a facility."
She added the expansion will hopefully happen within one to two years.
"We have some people that are very interested in this happening and I think when a building is purchased, it's really going to make things roll," said Ohman.
She pointed out that currently in Marquette there are many parents of kids with disabilities, both in and out of school, looking for something for their kids to do. A new facility would give them that opportunity.
She also said Lakestate Industries is hoping to begin an endowment fund.
"We are starting an endowment fund so that we can serve more people with disabilities that aren't eligible for services," said Ohman.
While at Lakestate Industries Monday, Casperson toured the woodshop, specialty products manufacturing area, confidential shredding room and home furnishing store - called the Rustic Room - while guided by Ohman.
On Friday, the business also hosted an open house for the public.
According to Woodshop Manager Paul Hay, employees in the woodshop make pallet stock for pallet manufacturers in the Green Bay and Milwaukee area.
Hay said they also make survey stakes for local surveyors in the U.P. and northern Wisconsin, among other products. They currently assemble pallets for approximately six companies across the U.P.
"I was on the road last week visiting a couple of our customers in the Fox Valley area and Green Bay, and they are so appreciative of Lakestate Industries," said Hay. "It's nice for me to hear that...I've been selling to them for 15 years, but to go there and see them using our product in a mass assembly line where they count on Lakestate is a great feeling."
Ohman also highlighted the confidential shredding room - where employees shred documents from area companies and businesses - as well as the specialty product area where furniture is manufactured. She said much of the furniture is sold to wildlife organizations like Wildlife Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited, though they also sell furniture to the public in their Rustic Room store.
Some of their specialty products include portable gardens, bookshelves, boot benches and garden sheds, as well as their famed Yooper fire starters - made from recycled materials, including shredded paper, wax and cardboard rolls. Ohman said one of the more recent services they now offer is laser engraving on items to include things like people's names or wedding dates.
To end the tour, Casperson visited the Rustic Room to see all the merchandise available to the public, including crates, magazine racks, coat racks, chairs, stools, tables - even a garbage bin.
Casperson said the tour gave him more insight into what Lakestate Industries does, as he was not aware of all the products the company manufactures and sells.
"I learned a whole lot here...," said Casperson. "They are producing products that are needed by people. So it's kind of a win-win, I think, when you look at what they're doing. It's not just providing some good jobs; they're actually producing something."
According to Ohman, Lakestate Industries has approximately 180 total employees, who work varying schedules.
"I would say we've been right around between 150 and 180 (workers) for about the last 10 years," said Ohman during the tour. "I think that's kind of our plateau."
She said approximately 30 workers go into the community on mobile crews that clean offices in the area. Just some of the area businesses that utilize Lakestate's janitorial services include the Willow Creek Professional Building, State Office Building, Delta Plaza Mall and Anytime Fitness, she said.
Lakestate Industries provides organizational and community employment, as well as a transition program for employees to overcome their barriers and recognize and maximize their own abilities.
Their organizational employment program, according to a brochure highlighting their services, "is designed to help persons with barriers to employment learn new work skills and develop good work habits. While in training, individuals receive 'real pay' for 'real work' performed."
Lakestate offers a variety of work opportunities that fulfill each individual's interests, motivation and abilities, in areas such as: packaging, recycling, assembly, bulk mailing, pallet stock manufacturing and janitorial services.
The community employment program offers job development and career exploration, job placement, and job coaching to employees. The transition program assists students to become job-ready, based on their own individual needs.
Lakestate Industries "is dedicated to helping people recognize and maximize their abilities, overcome barriers, and support them in reaching their highest level of employment and community inclusion," according to the company's mission statement.
Lakestate Industries receives referrals of those in need of work training and job placement from Pathways, MDCD/Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, Michigan Works, Michigan Commission for the Blind and other private parties, programs and agencies.
In addition to providing people with barriers a place of employment and sub-contracting services, Lakestate Industries also provides rehabilitation services to those with mental and/or physical disabilities.
The company was incorporated back in 1972 and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF evaluates Lakestates' programs every three years to ensure they meet high standards and provide quality services to people with varying disabilities.
For more information on the services Lakestate Industries provides, visit their website at www.lakestateindustries.org or call them at (906) 786-9212. Located at 1830 N. 21st St. in Escanaba, Lakestate Industries is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
