Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Steet, P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
269.925.6100
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IEDC HONORABLE MENTION AWARD

Benton Harbor, MI-based Organization Recognized for Redevelopment Project

Cornerstone Alliance was acknowledged for its innovative real estate redevelopment endeavor, the Harbor Shores Project. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized the Benton Harbor, Michigan-based organization with an honorable mention in the Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse Program at IEDC's Annual Conference, The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) presented the award to the Benton Harbor, Michigan-based organization at IEDC's Annual Conference, which was held in Reno, Nevada, October 4-7. The awards ceremony was held on Tuesday, October 6th.
"Furthering economic development is rarely a simple task in the best of times, and advancing the cause in the midst of a global financial crisis is nothing less than arduous," said Ian Bromley, IEDC chair. "As the consequences of the widespread economic turmoil have taken hold, we have seen our members become even more ardent proponents of economic development, flying in the face of one of the most challenging economic environments we have experienced in our careers. We tip our hats to Cornerstone Alliance for its superior work during these difficult times."
Competing in the category of Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse Program by organizations serving areas with populations under 50,000, Cornerstone Alliance made a notable impression with the Harbor Shores - Building a Foundation for Community Transformation project. Presented for the first time in 2009, the Real Estate Redevelopment & Reuse award recognizes innovative real estate redevelopment or reuse projects purpose-built or adaptively reused for the creation of jobs or for increasing the tax base. By demonstrating a measurable and quantitative impact on employment and the tax base, winning projects serve as catalysts for economic development in the area or region and demonstrate innovative partnership approaches including public and private sectors.
Cornerstone Alliance President Wendy Dant Chesser said, " Much of the land on which Harbor Shores is being built is former industrial land, leaving behind decades of underuse and blight. To date, Harbor Shores has acquired 127 different parcels of property by negotiating with individual landowners."
"We are very proud that since the environmental work on the project began in 2007, 140,000 tons of debris and contaminated soil have been removed from the site. Visually, this much debris would fill every square inch of a football field, from goal post to goal post, 64 feet high. Without this emphasis on environmental clean-up, these parcels of property would, as has been the case for the past several decades, remain the communities’ problem without feasible solutions," added Chesser.
"It was an honor to represent the Harbor Shores Project, among my peers in Economic Development. Most economic developers dream to be a part of such a transformational project. Fortunately, for our community it is taking place here in Michigan's Great Southwest," said Chesser.
In applying for the award, Cornerstone Alliance wrote:
Harbor Shores is a unique opportunity to revitalize local communities and transform the region from underutilized properties along Lake Michigan's waterfront to take its place among the hottest vacation destinations in the Midwest. Situated in Michigan's Great Southwest, Harbor Shores has a prime location, ideal for targeting economic development and tourism revenues as a vacation destination. The project is a 530-acre, mixed-use development that spans portions of the City of Benton Harbor, the City of St. Joseph, and Benton Charter Township, all located within Berrien County. Total project construction will span approximately 10 years, and is expected to be complete by 2020. The Harbor Shores project will invest $104 million in infrastructure and over $400 million of total development investment. Cornerstone Alliance and two other non-profit corporations with a longstanding history in the community--Whirlpool Foundation and Consortium for Community Development--have taken the lead in this revitalization effort.

About Cornerstone Alliance (www.cstonealliance.org)
Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-driven, community and economic development organization focusing on tax and job base creation, with an emphasis on socially and economically distressed areas, facilitating change through partnerships within the communities comprised of the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Benton Charter Township, St. Joseph Charter Township, Lincoln Charter Township and Royalton Township. Cornerstone Alliance is one of three non-profit partners in the Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment project.

About the International Economic Development Council (www.iedc.org)
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC's professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.

The IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development marketing materials; programs and partnerships; and the year's most influential leaders. The prestigious awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

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