Michigan in the spotlight: Presidential visit, new stamp, signs of Frankenmuth in Detroit
President Donald Trump is bringing his “Merry Christmas” tour to Michigan on Wednesday — his first campaign stop in the state that helped him win in 2016 — as he looks to repeat history in 2020.
Trump, who will visit Battle Creek, will likely talk up the USMCA, the agreement that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he buttoned up this week, much to the delight of the Detroit Three and UAW leaders. And he’ll likely reference movement in trade talks with China.
He’ll also likely talk about the economy and upbeat times on Wall Street, and why Michigan voters, who narrowly supported him in 2016, should do so again.
One might think he’d steer clear of impeachment developments. Then again, one thing about Donald Trump is expect anything.
So all eyes will be on the president as he visits our swing state now and through November. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told me: “Michigan is up for grabs,” and she intends to work diligently for the Democratic nominee.
Expect the state's profile in the race to loom large, too, with the University of Michigan's selection to host the final presidential debate before November’s general election.
Signs of Frankenmuth in the city
One thing that could add additional sparkle to Trump’s upcoming stop — if his schedule has any wiggle room — a side trip to Frankenmuth, the iconic Christmas town that has brought the holiday to millions year round."
Christie Bierlein, sales and marketing director for the Frankenmuth Convention and Visitors Bureau, said business in the city is up from last year. No doubt the early snow in November helped inspired more people to visit.
Also read: Frankenmuth named top US city for holiday vibes
But things aren’t all rosy on the tourism front. With the axing of the award winning Pure Michigan tourism campaign by leaders in Lansing, at least for now, those in the industry are concerned.
“Our success is closely tied to the travel and tourism industry,” said Amy Zehnder Grossi, general manager of The Barvarian Inn Restaurant, one of the most popular destinations in Frankenmuth. “We felt the Pure Michigan campaign significantly increased the number of out of state visitors to our businesses and we are very concerned that the campaign has not been funded.”
Expanding its presence in the Motor City, the convention bureau just signed a one-year deal with the Downtown Detroit Partnership for the naming rights to the Campus Martius ice rink.
Located downtown, the “Frankenmuth Rink at Campus Martius” will be open through March.
“Detroit makes sense for us; it is where the majority of our visitors come from regardless of the season,” said Jamie Furbush, president and CEO of the convention bureau.
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“For us, this is a win, win. We get to help celebrate and support the comeback of Detroit while continuing to reinforce the Frankenmuth brand message and help drive more visitation to our region,” Furbush added.
Over 70% of Frankenmuth's visitors are from Detroit.
Bierlein said the rink sponsorship will be accompanied by a new digital campaign to remind folks who might have visited the Christmas town to come back.
New stamp features the U.P.
Pure Michigan may be gone for now, but the U.S. Postal Service is helping the cause as it celebrate winter beauty in the Upper Peninsula with a new stamp featuring Grand Island Ice Caves.
It’s one of two new 2020 stamps for priority mail. The other stamp celebrates Big Bend in Texas.
Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Grand Island Ice Caves is known for its massive sandstone bluffs, which are dramatic in winter when lake water seeps into the crevices and caverns, forming ice curtains and icicles.
Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove. It will be available later in January.
Contact Carol Cain: 313-222-6732 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 11:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS 62. See Ken Daniels, Denise Ilitch and Linda Davies on this Sunday’s show.