Serious horsepower...

So say government leaders attending the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Regional Policy Conference this morning. "Things will get done here today," said Kentwood Mayor Richard Root. "This room is filled with serious horsepower."

GR Chamber President Jeanne Englehart indicated that attendees "came from outside the state of Michigan ... and the UP."

Muskegon Chamber President Cindy Larson is especially pleased with the partnerships underscored among chamber members throughout the region, many of those being members of multiple chambers.

Conference co-chair Doug DeVos said the strength of the conference is the show of more than 600 attendees. The interest of out-of-state media is considered another plus - "forward progress for Michigan."

Will this conference change things? "It will help," said Detroit Renaissance President Doug Rothwell.

Carole Valade, editor