Virg Bernero
Mayor of Lansing, Michigan
Virg Bernero is serving his fourth year as mayor of Lansing. He has met a struggling state and local economy with energy, innovation and optimism. He has assembled the most diverse and talented cabinet in Lansing’s history. And he is getting results. In the first three years in office, Virg and his team have leveraged over 600 million dollars in new investment in Lansing. Mayor Bernero helped launch the area’s first regional public-private economic development initiative, LEAP (Lansing Economic Area Partnership) and has racked up an impressive list of economic investment projects.
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Mayor Bernero with Bob Trezise, Economic Development Director in front of the Ottawa Street Power Station |
At the top of the list is the $182 million resurrection of Lansing’s Ottawa Street Power Station, a massive brick monolith that stood empty on the downtown riverfront for nearly a decade. In one of the largest historic preservation projects ever undertaken in Michigan, the long-defunct, coal-powered electric generating plant will soon become the new national headquarters of the Accident Fund Insurance Company of America.
Prior to being elected mayor in 2005, Virg represented Lansing in the Michigan State Senate and State House from 2001 – 2006. Mayor Bernero also represented Lansing on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners for eight years, having been elected 4 times. Mayor Bernero also served as a legislative aide in both the state Senate and House. Virg is married to Teri, an elementary school principal, and has two daughters.
