Partner Development Agencies

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Street
PO Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
Phone: 269-925-6100
Fax: 269-925-4471
E-mail:  info@cstonealliance.org

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-driven economic development organization focusing on tax and job base creation, with an emphasis on socially and economically distressed areas. Its vision is to "create individual opportunity in a world-class community through partnerships."

North Berrien Community Development
Chana Kniebes, Community Development Coordinator
209 N. Paw Paw Street
P.O. Box 1028
Coloma, MI 49038
269-468-4430
E-mail:  info@coloma-watervliet.org 

North Berrien Community Development (formerly the Coloma/Watervliet Area Economic Development Corporation) is a non-profit community-based corporation that represents the townships and cities of Coloma and Watervliet along with the township of Bainbridge in their efforts to influence the development and changes within the Paw-Paw Lake area. The Paw-Paw Lake area is located in northern Berrien County on interstate I-94.

This corporation works closely with the community leaders and governments to coordinate their activities that deal with attracting and maintaining businesses within the area. It also is the focal point for many projects that are multi-governmental. NBCD staff members represent this area in the economic development efforts of the county and the State of Michigan.

NBCD is the resource that the community looks to for the coordination of programs that are grant or loan eligible. It also serves as an information center for the area on projects and players that are influential in the changes within the community. Projects that are sponsored by NBCD are varied, but do emphasize the job creation and job maintenance aspects of the community.

 Southwest Michigan Planning Commission
185 E. Main Street, Suite 701
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Phone: 269-925-1137

The Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC) serves Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties and is one of 14 regional planning and development organizations in the State of Michigan.

Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance (SMEGA)
Shelley Klug, Executive Director
1950 Industrial Drive
Niles, Michigan 49120
Phone: 269-683-1833
Fax: 269-683-7515

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES

Michigan Association Of Counties
935 N. Washington Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48906
Phone: 800-258-1152 or 517-372-5374
Fax: 517-482-4599

The Michigan Association of Counties recognizes the need for a strong economic development climate at the state and local levels. We are aware of the strategic importance the agricultural industry has to the State of Michigan, and the vital need to protect our natural resources such as our forests and water. Sound land use policies relate intricately to the above issues. To enhance our business climate, we believe that the state and local governments must work with companies to help them attain high public health standards and safety performances to increase and to encourage economic development and retention.

MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION

Michigan Economic Developers Association
John Avery, Executive Director
PO Box 15096
Lansing, MI 48901-5096
Phone: 517-241-0011
Fax: 517-241-0089 

The Michigan Economic Developers Association was founded in 1960 to advance economic development throughout Michigan, and increase the individual member's effectiveness in the economic development profession by providing a variety of services and programs.

MICHIGAN MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTER - West (MMTC)

Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - West (MMTC)
Michelle Cleveland, Vice President
The Right Place Program
111 Pearl Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-771-0325
Fax: 616-771-0329

As the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center West regional office, The Right Place Program of Grand Rapids links area manufacturers to a network of technical resources. By working in partnership with other economic development organizations, it helps to deliver these services to a 17-county region.

Performance Benchmarking
To help small or mid-sized manufacturers get started, The Right Place Program offers free performance benchmarking. This service provides customized reports that can form the basis for comparison with manufacturers from the same industry, and lays the foundation for a learning plan designed to improve a company's skills and performance.

Inter-firm Learning
Manufacturers fulfill their learning plans through either inter-firm learning programs or customized solutions. When firms learn from each other and an industry championed facilitator, each gains the experienced assistance they need to turn improvement goals into reality.

Types of inter-firm learning and customized assistance programs include:

• Tours of best practice
• Industry conferences
• Workshops
• User groups
• Industry councils
• Benchmark studies
• Customized manufacturing assessment and consulting

MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

Michigan Municipal League
1675 Green Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
George D. Goodman - Executive Director
Phone: 734-669-6303 

The Michigan Municipal League, organized in 1899, is the Michigan association of cities and villages that provides a variety of services to its member municipalities and their officials.