On September 16, 2024, antifascist researchers identified Michael “Whit” Gantenbein of Coos Bay, Oregon as a leader of the white supremacist group White Lives Matter. Gantenbein is the owner of Whit Industries, a hydraulics and boat company based on Oregon’s South Coast. Corvallis Antifa revealed that “much of Whit Industries’ income comes from government contracts.” Our research confirms that Gantenbein and Whit Industries have received roughly a quarter million dollars in public contracts, primarily from the Port of Coos Bay.
Whites Lives Matter is neo-Nazi group dedicated to ethnic cleansing, and at least one member has been linked to the firebombing of a church in Ohio. According to Rolling Stone, White Lives Matter calls “for citizenship to be granted only to ‘genetically White People’ and for ‘White Nations’ to establish a population made up “99.0 percent of White People, at all times, for all age groups.’”
Antifascist researchers state that Whit Industries is using company resources — including Gantenbein’s work truck — to promote White Lives Matter, raising concerns that Gantenbein is diverting public funds to promote hate.
Our initial research reveals that Whit Industries has been awarded:
- $219,602 from the Port of Coos Bay for hydraulics replacements and repairs on vessels and “the bridge,” painting the state dredge and trailer, and North Bend swing span hydraulic repair and motor upgrades (2021-2023)
- $15,273 from the Port of Umpqua for hoist repairs and painting (2017)
- $13,414.17 from the City of North Bend for miscellaneous engine cylinder and water pipe repair as well as electrical and hydraulics work (2023-2024)
- $2,612.19 from Coos County for vehicle repairs and “hyd cylinder” (2023-2024)
- $1,229.89 from South Coast Education Service District (ESD) for repairs and maintenance (2016)
In October 2024, the Oregon Department of Transportation will decide whether to award the International Port of Coos Bay with a $3.5 dollar grant to develop its Charlestown Marina Shipyard as part of the Connect Oregon grant fund. In the grant application, Whit Industries is listed as one of four “businesses that will verify job creation/retention or new private investment.”
The relevant contracts and payments can be found in the PDF at the bottom of this post. For concision and clarity, pages and cover sheets have been extracted from corresponding agency budget sheets and meeting minutes.
These records represent our initial research into Whit Industries. Our sources indicate that Gantenbein’s work extends across the West coast, and further research is needed to confirm the full scope of the company’s activities.
Enter your email to get future records we obtain straight to your inbox.
Responses from Local Entities
Information for Public Use contacted the Port of Coos Bay by email, requesting information about the relationship between Whit Industries and the Port. Our inquiry included a request for “a copy of all contracts awarded to Gantenbein and/or Whit Industries.”
In reply, a Port of Coos Bay administrative manager named Krystal Karcher stated: “Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Port of Coos Bay’s relationship with Whit Industries and the concerns you’ve raised about Michael ‘Whit’ Gantenbein. We take these matters seriously and are committed to upholding the values of integrity, inclusivity, and transparency in our operations. We are looking into this matter.” The Port requested an estimate fee of $225 to complete our public records request, and would did not response to whether there would be formal investigation into Whit Industries.
The Port of Coos Bay is a public entity in the State of Oregon, and its Board of Commissioners are appointed by the Governor. The Governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
In response to a written request for comment, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s assistant communications director Katherine Benenati stated: “To the best of our knowledge, we have no professional relationship with Whit Industries or [Gantenbein].” ODOT clarified that the Charleston Shipyard project is unlikely to be funded by the state due to its low ranking in the final review.
One of the groups that has raised concerned about the Port of Coos Bay’s relationship with Whit Industries is a South Coast Facebook page called “Oregon’s Bay Area.” Mary Geddry, a local blogger and administrator of the page, provided a written statement to Information for Public Use:
“Michael ‘Whit’ Gantenbein blurs the line between his personal opinions and his business. He uses his company resources to organize and attend white power events. There is no indication the Port of Coos Bay was previously aware of Whit Industries’ ties to the white supremacy effort or owner Gantenbein’s disgusting racist and homophobic statements. Now the Port is aware, and every time Gantenbein’s vehicle is seen at a white power rally, the Port will forever be associated with these hateful events.
“Sadly, known white supremacists lived here before Gantenbein moved here but make no mistake, there is a strong and diverse organization of social justice advocates to push back against their agenda.”
If you have a tip about Gantenbein or Whit Industries, please contact us at info4publicuse@protonmail.com.
View and Download Records