Water plays a big part in this city in the southwestern corner of Michigan. Benton Harbor boasts a river and a Great Lake. The river offers not only a backdrop for recreational boating and fishing, but also for businesses growing along the waterfront. Jean Klok Park is the perfect spot to sit with a bag lunch and enjoy the view. Tourists come for the water sports and stay to check out the area’s fruits and vegetables. Manufacturers like Whirlpool Corp. call it home.
Our state is blessed with Pure Michigan "placemaking" success stories -- from beautiful Campus Martius Square in Detroit to the chic cafes and boutiques in Grand Rapids to the Upper Peninsula splendor of Presque Isle Park in Marquette.
The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) are getting the message out that placemaking matters.
At Southwest Michigan Second Wave we decided to celebrate our second birthday by talking a little bit about what we do, why we do it and how the stories we tell can engage our community with ideas and action.
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