According to the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan (CMPM), CMPM andTravel Michigan have renewed their commitment to partner for a second year to furnish all Michigan Welcome Centers with corn-based plastic bags for visitors to fill up with helpful Michigan travel information.

There are 14 Michigan Welcome Centers around the state ranging as far south as New Buffalo, and as far north as Ironwood. Each of these welcome centers serve as a tourist information hub for the entire state. Last year alone, nearly eight million visitors stopped at the Michigan Welcome Centers. Due to the positive results and huge success of the project, the CMPM and Travel Michigan have both decided to continue this program for an additional year.

“More than 80 billion pounds of plastics are produced in the United States every year, and these plastics have traditionally relied on petroleum-based feedstocks,” said Clark Gerstacker, CMPM president and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Board member. “Essentially, anything that is currently made from petroleum can, in the future, be made from corn,” said Gerstacker. “However, this transition will not happen overnight. It takes time to build infrastructure, develop markets and educate consumers.”

The CMPM has worked to educate consumers about the benefits and availability of corn-based products. To raise awareness, CMPM board members and staff have traveled across the state attending trade shows, green fairs and grower events. With