HARRIS – Gov. Rick Snyder attended an economic roundtable Thursday at the Island Resort & Casino that was sponsored by the Hannahville Indian Community.

Tribal Chairman Ken Meshigaud said it was good to hear a theme of growth and partnership among area businesses.

“I think what we wanted to do here today was to highlight the economic development of not only the Hannahville Indian Community but Delta County and the whole U.P. and the partnerships. We want to build and grow upon what we have,” he said.

Bill VanDeVusse, owner and CEO of VanAire in Gladstone was one of the panelists at the roundtable. He told Snyder that the top concerns were educated employees and energy.

“We have great employees, very loyal employees and a good base of people to draw from around here but whenever we have an opening we’re concerned about the talent base,” said VanDeVusse. “Also, we are concerned about energy. The whole U.P. should be concerned about energy, where energy is going to come from in the coming years and how much it’s going to cost us.”

Also on the panel were Paul Harvey, director of new business development at EMP in Escanaba; Jean Ross, president and co-owner of Delta Manufacturing in Escanaba and Matt Sviland, owner and developer of Swannee, Inc. and the Lofts on Ludington in Escanaba.

The Hannahville Indian Community spends over $45 million a year for goods and services. Meshigaud said more than $9 million is spent directly in Delta County.