Representative Hillary Scholten

Congresswoman Scholten on the Telephone Town Hall

Rep. Scholten talking with constituents at her recent Telephone Town Hall.

Dear Neighbor –

It’s been a WONDERFUL and busy stretch for us on the ground here in West Michigan. This is your bi-weekly edition of my weekly newsletter, coming to you on a Sunday night (can you TELL I’ve been a bit busy lately?) :) It’s truly such an honor to get to do this job even in life’s busy season of parenting and daughtering, spousing, and working hard to serve you again. I will never stop showing up for our community. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to, and what’s ahead.

The Week(s) in Review

Up, Up, and Away!

We’ve been working tirelessly to get a new air traffic control tower here at GRR. As the oldest of the top 75 busiest towers, GRR is in dire need of an upgrade. There have been so many hands working to make this happen, and I’m honored to play a role in pushing the FAA to prioritize this as the #2 tower for replacement in the country. We’re on our way, and this was an exciting week.

Together with airport leadership, and State Representative Phil Skaggs, we got to unveil the new designs for the tower.

Women's Health in West Michigan

Congresswoman Scholten at Advanced Radiology

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I marked the occasion in many ways, but one in particular was by visiting local providers addressing the needs of breast cancer patients. First up was Advanced Radiology of West Michigan, which is using artificial intelligence to detect breast cancer and improving cancer diagnostics as we know them.

I also gathered a group of healthcare providers from the University of Michigan Health West to discuss breast cancer, screening, detection, and treatment, as well as the full spectrum of health issues that are often left under-discussed, under-researched, and under-treated.

Congresswoman Scholten at U of M Health West

House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Greg Meeks joined me for a truly informative roundtable. We also brought donuts to the hardworking nurses at the labor and delivery unit at the Byron Center location–SO grateful for all they do. I know I’ve had more than A FEW young constituents born there.

Feeding West Michigan Well

We have some of the most incredible food manufacturing that happens RIGHT HERE in West Michigan.

Did you know that the FIRST EVER Pop-Tart was made right here in West Michigan? The team and I visited the Kellanova facility and got to smell–AND TASTE–some fresh Pop-Tarts right off the line. I’m highly impressed by the Kellanova team’s commitment to quality work and reducing food waste in their practices. I know these snacks fuel my hungry athletes year-round.

Congresswoman Scholten at La Colombe Coffee Factory

Chobani and La Colombe Coffee could have chosen almost anywhere in the country to locate their coffee facilities, but they chose West Michigan as a premier location because of our incredible community. Chobani was started with a $600,000 loan from the SBA, by Turkish immigrant Hamdi Ulukaya. I’m fighting every day so that success stories like Hamdi’s aren’t just a pipe dream, but can be a reality for any entrepreneur with the vision and drive to make it happen.

Youth Civic Engagement

The young people at Thredz are building a brighter and better country, but supporting civic engagement. These young people organized food and snacks for early voters as well as a painting activity. I stopped by to thank them and provide them with a Congressional certificate of special recognition for all of their hard work.

Looking Ahead

Next week is another wonderful week back in the district. We have a big election here in West Michigan, and I’ll be working in my official capacity to make sure that our elections run smoothly, freely, and fairly. We also have a REALLY BIG and fun announcement coming tomorrow for the tri-cities region.

Then, we head back to Washington on November 12. We have 4 session weeks until the end of the year in what’s known as the “lame duck” session. I have every intention of making it ANYTHING but lame when it comes to my work. I’ll keep you informed of what we’re doing.

It’s an honor to serve you, West Michigan.

- Rep. Scholten