During an official trip to the Upper Peninsula last month, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II spent several hours in Munising. The Detroit native with a background in computer engineering visited Munising schools, experienced Michigan Ice Fest firsthand and discussed some of the challenges and opportunities facing the Upper Peninsula.

Gilchrist made it clear that rural, small-town Michigan isn’t just part of the state’s map — it’s part of the bigger picture. During his visit, he addressed several important topics confronting Alger County, from the housing shortage to food insecurity to the rising cost of living. His thoughts on these issues were reported in the Feb. 21 issue of The Munising Beacon.

Gilchrist’s stop reinforced the idea that Munising, and places like it, deserve a voice in the broader conversations happening across the state.

Following Gilchrist’s visit, Beacon Correspondent Jennifer Champagne spoke with him about his trip, the state’s role in supporting small-town economies and his vision for Michigan’s future.

The governor’s team allocated 15 minutes for this interview.

Beacon: Lieutenant Governor, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.

Gilchrist: Happy to be here. Beacon: How was your visit to Munising? Were you ready for the snow?

Gilchrist: I thought it was great. It felt exactly like February should in the Upper Peninsula. There was just the right amount of snow — enough to be beautiful and to have fun — but also, the roads were clear and everything was well maintained.

It was a full day. I visited Munising High School, Mather Elementary and spent time with students, teachers and Superintendent Mike Travis. Then, I got to experience Ice Fest, which was incredible. Ice climbing was something I had never done before, and it was a thrill.

Beacon: Speaking of Ice Fest, the photos of you climbing showed pure joy — you looked like a kid having the time of his life.

Gilchrist: It was fun! I know my wife and at least two of my kids would love it. My 2-yearold? Maybe not yet. But I had a blast.

Beacon: Let’s talk about some of the pressing issues facing Munising. With its growing tourism industry comes challenges — seasonal workforce shortages, infrastructure demands and concerns about preserving the natural beauty. How does the state support thriving tourism economies while maintaining small-town character?

Gilchrist: Michigan is incredibly blessed with natural resources, and the U.P. is a prime example of that. Governor [Gretchen] Whitmer and I are committed to preserving what makes places like Munising special rather than changing them into something they’re not.

That’s why we continue investing in housing, roads, bridges and community development projects across the U.P. We want Munising to have what it needs to be Munising — not transform into something else. The resources we’re bringing in are meant to support the community, ensuring it’s not just a great place for visitors but also a sustainable, affordable home for residents.

Beacon: You visited both Munising Middle/High School and William G. Mather Elementary School. What stood out to you most about your visit to the schools?

Gilchrist: A lot. One standout moment was meeting [Savannah Lassila], my first-ever Space Force enlistee. That was amazing. Also, after meeting the Youth in Government students, I ran into one of them again [Lassila] the following week at a Youth in Government event in Lansing. That really stuck with me — it was a reminder of how ambitious, hardworking and service-driven U.P. students are.

At Mather, I also had the chance to see firsthand what the school needs in terms of infrastructure. As an engineer, I like to understand systems and how they can work better for people. The best way to do that is by visiting, listening and seeing things up close. That’s what my time in Munising was really about.

Beacon: Many long-time residents feel disconnected from Lansing when it comes to funding for infrastructure, health care access and economic development. How can they ensure their voices are heard at the state level?

Gilchrist: The most important part of my job is showing up — meeting people where they live, work and go to school. That’s why I spend so much time in the U.P. I’ve been to Munising at least four times as lieutenant governor, and I’ve visited the U.P. more than a dozen times. And I come in different seasons — not just in the summer but in the winter and fall as well. I do that because I don’t want anyone to feel like they don’t have access to me or this administration.

This is why we’ve directed resources to the U.P. — like securing $2 million in the budget for life safety infrastructure in Alger County and ensuring rural hospitals remain accessible. You only get a real sense of what’s needed by coming here, talking to people and experiencing their challenges firsthand.

Beacon: In today’s chaotic media environment, many people feel overwhelmed by misinformation and political division. How can they stay focused on what truly matters?

Gilchrist: We live in a challenging time. The media environment — TV, online, social media — is all over the place, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I understand why some people just want to check out altogether.

But my advice is this: No matter how chaotic the larger conversation gets, there’s always something you can do locally to help someone. There’s nothing divisive about volunteering, helping a neighbor or supporting community efforts.

I also encourage people to slow down and verify information. The more you want something to be true, the more important it is to check your sources. I have experience in this — when I worked at the University of Michigan, I helped develop tools for evaluating credibility in social media. Taking a moment to factcheck goes a long way in cutting through the noise.

Beacon: Looking ahead, Michigan will soon have an open governor’s seat. Are you planning to run?

Gilchrist: It has been a real honor to serve as lieutenant governor of Michigan over these past years alongside Governor Whitmer. I’ve had the opportunity to travel across the state, visiting all 83 counties at least three times.

Getting to know Michigan and building relationships with communities has been incredibly important to me — it’s been both impactful and meaningful. I believe we’ve accomplished a lot to improve access to health care and overall well-being.

As I continue to serve, I’ll be sharing more soon about what that means for my future.

Beacon: If you want to give me the scoop on that … Gilchrist ( laughing): We call you?

Beacon: That’s what I like to hear!

Gilchrist ( laughing): Got it, got it!

Beacon: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Gilchrist: I want people to know that Governor Whitmer and I remain deeply committed to investing in pathways to prosperity for families across the U.P.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to serve lunch at Munising Middle/High School, where the free breakfast and lunch program is making a real difference. It’s changing the reality for so many young people who might otherwise experience hunger, and I’m incredibly proud of that work.

Our latest budget proposal includes support for programs like the grant Munising schools applied for — funding that could help address critical infrastructure needs. We’re committed to investing in schools because they support our families and children. Every day, I wake up thinking about how we can create the conditions for people to thrive and succeed.

Beacon: Thank you for your time, Lieutenant Governor. And seriously, I’ll be waiting for that call.

Gilchrist ( laughing): Noted! Thanks so much.