Blackwater founder Erik Prince gets warm reception at speech in Michigan hometown

Blackwater founder gets ovation in Mich. hometown

HOLLAND, Mich. — Blackwater Worldwide founder Erik Prince says his belief in hard work and personal responsibility has drawn criticism. But he says he’s fine with that.

The Holland, Mich., native returned to his hometown Wednesday to speak as part of its annual Tulip Time Festival. More than 700 people heard Prince criticize government spending and regulation at Hope College.

The speech also drew about 60 protesters outside the event.

Prince stepped away last year from daily operations at the North Carolina-based company, now called Xe (ZEE) Services. But he still ardently defends it. He says “we’re an easy target” for liberal critics.

Prince had requested no reporters attend the speech, but festival organizers allowed them to cover the event.