Top businesses in St. Joe, Benton Harbor recognized for growth

It was a night to celebrate businesses and their owners who are making things happen in  Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and the surrounding communities that collectively make up the Southwest corner of the state of Michigan.

Nearly 700 business people turned out to recognize business successes of 2010 at the joint annual meeting of Cornerstone Alliance and the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce. The awards ceremony took place at the Mendel Center for the Arts at Lake Michigan College.

The companies honored at the Feb. 17 event collectively were responsible for creating more than 250 new jobs. They brought about a 32 percent average increase in facility expansion and capital investments over more than  $255,000. Sales performance also was up by an average increase of 43.6 percent.

Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce President Pat Moody told the crowd the total area-wide investments by employers hit more than $4.4 million last year.

Throughout the evening, awards were given out to companies who either increased jobs, sales, or expanded their facilities.

Eleven companies took home Silver Stake Awards for creating either 25 new jobs, increasing sales by 25 percent, expanding their facilities by 10 percent or increasing their capital investment by at least $100,000.

Golden Stake Awards — for companies who created 50 new jobs increased sales by 50 percent, expanded  their facilities by 125 percent or increased their capital investment by at least $200,000 — went to five companies.

And 14 companies walked off with Platinum Stake Awards for creating either 100 new jobs, increasing sales by 100 percent, expanding their faciliies by 50 percent or inceasing their capital investment by at least $300,000.

Entrepreneur of the Year awards went to Jay Costas and Tony Bertig of Silver Beach Pizza and the Team at Dane Systems that has seen a 340 percent increase in sales over the past year.

Honor Credit Union, the Large Business of the Year, was recognized for the hundreds of hours of community service its employees put in and more than $75,000 given to local causes.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Cornerstone Alliance, Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting