ESCANABA — A candidate for State Representative says more needs to be done to create jobs in the Upper Peninsula. Bob Romps of Escanaba says jobs are still lacking despite and state unemployment rate of 4.1 percent in August.

“It is downstate but the problem is up here it is still high. People aren’t getting benefits in their jobs so there is a lot of part-time jobs out there but not a lot of good paying jobs where people can make money and have insurance and these benefits. That’s what really kills people is the insurance,” Romps said.

Romps says he would like to manufacturing expand. He also says the timber industry is important to the U.P. He is not as keen on tourism.

“I don’t think tourism is the way to go because that is only part of the year. We need something that is steadier. When Harnisheger was here, that is when we were at our best in Escanaba,” Romps said.

He is also leery of the new mine in Menominee County although Romps does support the re-opening of the Empire Mine in Marquette County.

Romps is running against State Rep. Beau LaFave of Iron Mountain in the 108th District. It covers Delta, Menominee and Dickinson counties. The election is Nov. 6.