LANSING, Mich. — This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointment Rural Development Fund Board.

Chris Germain, of Marquette, is CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership. He holds a bachelor of arts in public administration from Northern Michigan University. He also holds a master of city and regional planning from Ohio State University. He is appointed to represent Democrats and the Upper Peninsula for a term commencing Thursday and expiring Dec. 31, 2026. He succeeds Margaret Minerick whose term has expired.

The Rural Development Fund Board, housed in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has oversight of the Rural Development Fund. The board is charged with advising the department on how to distribute tax revenue collected from mines to improve and strengthen local communities.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.