Benton Harbor

Cutting-edge work is every-day work at Edgewater

At Edgewater Automation every job is unique and most of then are secret. Kim North Shine reports that's the St. Joseph company's edge.

Local food revolution finds recruits in Berrien County

Harbor Shores unveils model homes

Fire and ice under one roof in Benton Harbor

Champions for Change a sign of what’s new in twin cities

A popular saying these days is be the change you want to see in the world. A new initiative launched in the twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph asks people to let others know you're the one making a change.The initiative, led by the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce, is expected to last at least two years. The Chamber hopes that by increasing the visibility of volunteer work that is leading to positive change there will be an increased sense of pride and encourage even more people to volunteer.When a volunteer effort is under way, groups or businesses are encouraged to use the Champions for Change logo to show how such work is making a difference in the community.Anyone gives of their time and talent to make the community better is a Champion for Change.The program will do well if participants "talk about it, believe it, live it," Chamber organizers say. They hope participants will encourage others to be a "Champion" and then join them on Facebook at the Champions for Change page.  "The Michigan's Great Southwest community is truly blessed to have so many individuals willing to give of their time to make a difference in the area. This community is full of Champions for Change," says Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan Executive Director Doris Higgins.For more information contact the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce staff. The staff of Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce is serving as the driving force behind this community initiative. The staff also can be readched by e-mail or telephone. Contact  Pat Moody, at 269-757-0216 or Regina Ciaravino,  at 269-757-0227.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jamie Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Horses and their people could call this place home

Planners have removed the hurdles to a $6.1 million Concord Ridge Equestrian Center, reports the Herald-Palladium.The Royalton Township development calls for a large indoor arena area plus stables for up to 46 horses on the 39-acre site on the west side of Michigan-139, south of Marquette Woods Road. The project also would have seven single-family houses and six upscale condominium units in three duplex buildings. The idea is for the homes to be sold to people who want to be close to their horses. Planners stipulated residential construction on the site must be single-family, and another is that any commercial activity on the site must be related to equestrian activities. Construction is expected to start in July.Excerpt:Trustee William Foust said the center will be "a very positive entity for our township."The center's 160- by 220-foot main building would be built along M-139, south of Marquette Woods Road. The center, which would employ five people, would have stalls for 44 horses, two dressage areas and a second-floor viewing area.For more details, read the rest of the story. Source: Herald-Palladium

Benton Harbor Safe Summer 2010 offers jobs and more for young people

Programs in Benton Harbor could provide as many as 5,000 summer opportunities for young people in the community.An initiative called Safe Summer 2010 is designed to improve economic and job development opportunities for youth and young adults throughout the summer.More than $250,000 in reallocated or new program funding has been identified for these programs. Funding is made possible through various state and federal programs in addition to local donors.Partners in the initiative are Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment Inc., Michigan Works!, the Consortium for Community Development, Whirlpool Foundation and Whirlpool Community Relations, the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor, Cornerstone Alliance and many others. "As we are working our way through rough times," says Benton Harbor Mayor Wilce Cooke, "activities to engage young people in both recreational and job training will set the stage for future opportunities for them as individuals, as well as for the economic development efforts underway for the community as a whole."Safe Summer 2010 will include programming for recreational activities, such as summer youth sports and transportation to Jean Klock Park, job training and workplace experience.Michigan Works! will provide opportunities for local youth to gain summer work experience and prepare them for their future careers. "Today's employers are requesting skills and talents that come from specific experience, training and education. For six years, our Youthworks! Summer Jobs program has provided these opportunities. This year, despite funding challenges, we've enrolled nearly 200 Benton Harbor youth into the program." said Todd Gustafson, Executive Director of the Michigan Works of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.  The Benton Harbor Area Schools announced its summer lunch program and the locations and times for serving meals to area students. "This program helps to provide students a healthy diet, which is an essential part of their development and well being," said Dan McGinnis, President of the BHAS School Board. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jamie Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Shuttle service will connect neighborhoods and beach

A free shuttle service to link the neighborhoods of Benton Harbor and Jean Klock Park will be offered in partnership with Dial-A-Ride, making a trip to the beach a whole lot easier this summer.The Jean Klock Express will run in continuous loops of 16 stops across Benton Harbor from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The route begins at Calvin Britain Elementary and some of the stops are Benton Harbor High School, McCord School, Morton Hill, The Boys & Girls Club, The Golf Club at Harbor Shores and Jean Klock Park. The full schedule is here. In accordance with  normal Dial-A-Ride rules, all riders under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.The service, which began May 18, will continue through Labor Day. The Consortium for Community Development, Cornerstone Alliance and the Whirlpool Foundation are working with Harbor Shores and the City of Benton Harbor to provide recreational and educational opportunities for the youth of the community. "For me, it's all about the kids. To make a difference in the lives of our young people is the foundation of re-building any community," says Marcus Robinson, President of the Consortium of Community Development and Harbor Shores Trustee.  Harbor Shores is Lake Michigan's first beach and golf resort community, just 100 miles east of Chicago in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.  The community's central amenity is an 18-hole, public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course that offers stunning views of Lake Michigan.   Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Ron Eng, Harbor Shores

Resale shop helps those in need

A resale shop that donates its proceeds to an emergency shelter has moved into bigger quarters, reports the Herald-Palladium.The move to 510 W. Main St. in Benton Harbor triples the space available to 6 Degrees Resale Store, according to manager Sally Sovinski. Excerpt: "We were very packed, so we moved to a much bigger space," she said. Emergency Shelter Services, at 645 Pipestone St. in Benton Harbor, provides housing and other services for families who otherwise would be homeless. Proceeds from 6 Degrees Resale Store support the work of ESS. Client families in need of items such as clothing or furniture can pay for them by working at the store. In addition to helping ESS clients learn job skills, the store employs workers through the Michigan Works Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Program. For details on a fundraiser for 6 Degrees Resale Store set for June 10, read the rest of the story. Source: Herald-Palladium