6 MiMfg Magazine September 2020
Keynote
Conversation
MMA Legislators
of the Year 2020
Ken Horn
State Senator
Michigan State Senate
11Senator Horn chairs the Senate Economic and
Small Business Development Committee, along
with two Senate Appropriations Subcommittees:
Capital Outlay and Talent and Economic
Development/MEDC.
11Horn was a Saginaw County Commissioner for
16 years before serving in the Michigan House
of Representatives for 6 years.
11The Senator holds a bachelor’s degree in
criminal justice from Concordia University
in Ann Arbor.
Be Engaged!
These champions will be honored at the
MFG Legislative Day reception on 9/15/20
in Lansing. Learn more at mimfg.org.
Q:
What’s one thing manufacturers should know about
Senator Ken Horn?
Senator Horn: I hope they know that I never gave up on
Michigan as a proud leader in all forms of manufacturing,
even during the “lost decade” as others were celebrating a
new “service economy”. In my role as Chair of the Senate
Economic and Small Business Development Committee, I
will continue to push the committee’s focus toward growth
with an emphasis on manufacturing within advanced mobility.
Q:
What does it mean to you to be named
an MMA Legislator of the Year?
Senator Horn: On behalf of the Michigan Senate, and my
Economic and Small Business Development colleagues, I’m
honored to be recognized for our work and passion for the
industry. It lets us know we are on the right track in support
of our manufacturing partners.
Q:
When it comes to your service to manufacturers and
employers in your district, what are you most proud of?
Senator Horn: I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve
built with manufacturers in Saginaw and Genesee Counties,
both small and large. We know what it’s like to lose our
manufacturing base and the impact it has on a community.
Whenever I hear our local manufacturers stand tall in
full-throated support of our industry, I recognize that our
regional growth will be strong and steady in every area.
Q:
What do you envision for Michigan’s manufacturing
future — and how do we get there?
Senator Horn: The manufacturing world took a step
backward as a result of this pandemic. However, as we
recommit to a future of true mobility, Michigan has assets
that not many states, or nations, can match. The Big Three
re-committed to Michigan, we have a strong skilled workforce,
expandable manufacturing facilities, and partnerships with
the defense industry, aerospace, and high-tech companies.
Michigan has lots of reliable energy and fresh water. With
the MMA leadership, how can Michigan not be fully
optimistic for our future in leading all sectors of advanced
and traditional manufacturing? Michigan works best when
Michigan is working. 6