Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Steet, P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
269.925.6100
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Senior PGA Championship to be held in BH

Benton Harbor, MI—Wednesday, May 26, 2010— At a news conference being held as a part of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship in Parker, Colorado, it was announced that Whirlpool Corporation's KitchenAid brand will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Senior PGA Championship from 2011-2014. The prestigious event will take place at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, an 18 hole public Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, located in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Michigan in 2012 and 2014. The announcement was shared locally via a live feed.

Harbor Shores is a 530-acre mixed use real estate development with an estimated twenty year build out. Highlighted by the 18-hole, public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, plans for Harbor Shores include a variety of distinctive neighborhoods with varying residential product totaling nearly 720 residences. The plans also call for a wide array of recreational amenities, including a town center, health and fitness center, boutique lodge and spa, conference center, marina village, deep water marinas, retail shops and restaurants, recreational trails, and much more.

Cornerstone Alliance President Wendy Dant Chesser said, "This is truly outstanding news. Our community having the chance to play host to such a prestigious event creates endless opportunities."

Cornerstone Alliance Chairman of the Board Ken Kozminski shared, "On behalf of the businesses and individuals that invest in Cornerstone Alliance, I would like to thank Whirlpool Corporation and KitchenAid. This area is blessed to have such an outstanding corporate neighbor, that has always, and continues to support the growth and prosperity of the entire community. This sponsorship will result in significant economic impact as well as additional spinoff benefits." Estimates show that communities that host a Senior PGA Championship, the oldest major in senior golf, enjoy an average of over $22 million in economic impact as a result of the event taking place.

In addition to the projected economic impact, hosting such a prestigious event it creates endless opportunities for Cornerstone's ongoing economic development efforts. "This gives our community and the entire state the opportunity to showcase the community to new investors and job providers as we work to grow jobs in the area. New companies locate in communities that have a vision for positive change, that is what we have here," said Kozminski.

"This is outstanding news for Benton Harbor and the entire state of Michigan,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “We’ve always supported the Harbor Shores project and the Golf Club at Harbor Shores for the roles they can play in helping to transform the Benton Harbor area economy. Whirlpool’s leadership in bringing the Senior PGA Championship to our great state and Benton Harbor shows that the community’s commitment to its future can pay big dividends. This is a win-win for everyone."

Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Vice President of Travel Michigan, George Zimmermann said, "Hosting an event like the Senior PGA Championship provides the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community with an outstanding economic development tool that can be used both in attraction and retention efforts. It puts the eyes of the world on the community and state."

“We are pleased and proud that KitchenAid will be the presenting sponsor of the Senior PGA Championship," said Deb O'Connor, senior manager of brand experience for KitchenAid. "KitchenAid and Whirlpool Corporation have a long track record for doing the right things, including Cook for the Cure, our partnership with Susan G. Komen and the fight against breast cancer, our 10-year partnership with Habitat For Humanity, and many other programs that help improve lives and communities."

Whirlpool Corporation, Corporate Vice President, Jeff Noel said, "This sponsorship creates a special opportunity for the KitchenAid brand to be aligned with one of the most respected and prestigious sporting events in the country, which is good for our customers and our business."

"Additionally, the event allows the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community the opportunity to build upon the economic transformation that has been underway for several years now thanks to projects like Harbor Shores, the Silver Beach Center in St. Joseph, the growing Benton Harbor Arts District as well as others. These are amenities that invite tourists and investors into Michigan's Great Southwest. It aids efforts to recruit and retain talent for businesses like Whirlpool Corporation and other local companies," added Noel.

"More importantly, the event is in appreciation of the area's Champions for Change. The Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community has a long history of volunteerism and support of local non-profits. It is a celebration of every volunteer that pounded a nail for Harbor Habitat for Humanity, supported the Boys and Girls Club, coached a little league team or was involved in countless worthwhile causes because they are championing a positive change in our community, a powerful story of a can-do spirit that needs to be told. Thanks to this event we have the opportunity to do so," concluded Noel.

"This puts the eyes of the world on our community and gives us a chance to tell our story. As the economic development organization serving the area, we have an excellent tool that we can use to assist in our recruitment efforts and much more," added Chesser.

Formed in 1987, Cornerstone Alliance serves as the economic development organization working to create jobs, increase the tax base and increase consumer spending in the area. President Wendy Dant Chesser added, "This is a dream come true. Hosting the Senior PGA championship will allow our community to sell itself to potential businesses and investors. It also gives us the chance to entertain site consultants and emerging technology companies."

"As the nation continues to emerge from the recession, economic developers are finding the jobs of tomorrow demand the quality of place that is being created here in our community thanks to projects like Harbor Shores. Companies can go anywhere. This really give us a leg up on our job attraction efforts. Companies that grow and prosper are companies that locate in winning communities and the chance to host this event truly is a sign our community is indeed a Winner," said Chesser.

Consortium for Community Development President Marcus Robinson shared his enthusiasm for the announcement. Robinson said, "This is proof positive that the Champions for Change in Michigan's Great Southwest are making a difference in the future of this community as well as the entire state of Michigan. Our area is truly blessed that Whirlpool Corporation and KitchenAid has such strong confidence in the individuals and organizations striving to build a better community. This is our opportunity to showcase the area to the world. It creates yet another tool that will aid efforts to sell community development projects and ideas to potential foundations and funders."

Robinson added, "Change has been underway in the community for some time now. Whether it is the Hope VI project, Harbor Habitat for Humanity efforts, JAG (Jobs for American Graduates) initiative or so many others, this is yet another example of how working together we are creating opportunities for the residents of this community. This event will give the young people in our community tremendous opportunities from potential employment to being able to participate in the various events. It will truly aid in efforts to share the world of opportunity that exists if they work hard and stay in school."

About Harbor Shores
Harbor Shores is a 530-acre mixed use real estate development with an estimated twenty year build out. Highlighted by the 18-hole, public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, plans for Harbor Shores include 12 distinctive neighborhoods with a total of nearly 800 residences. The plans also call for a wide array of recreational amenities, including a town center, health and fitness center, boutique lodge and spa, conference center, marina village, deep water marinas, retail shops and restaurants, recreational trails, and much more.

The Harbor Shores Project is a cooperative effort between Cornerstone Alliance, the Consortium for Community Development, Whirlpool Foundation, the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Benton Charter Township, Berrien County, the state of Michigan and others.

About Cornerstone Alliance
Formed in 1987, 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, and facilitating change through partnerships within Michigan’s Great Southwest.

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