Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Steet, P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
269.925.6100
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2008 YEAR-END REVIEW PRESENTED

Benton Harbor, MI—Thursday, February 19, 2009— Over 650 community residents attended the Combined Annual Meeting held Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Mendel Center for Arts & Technology at Lake Michigan College. The meeting was held by Cornerstone Alliance and its affiliate organizations.

Cornerstone Alliance Chairman Ken Kozminski spoke on behalf of all of the strategic partner organizations, “This evening, we will celebrate recent successes, set the stage for the future and give recognition to those businesses and individuals that are making this community one that is into the business of life.”

Kozminski added, “As you will see throughout the course of this evening, all that effort is paying off, and the community truly is making progress. However, what we are sharing with you this evening would not have been possible without the generosity of the businesses and individuals who invest in Cornerstone Alliance and the future of the community, our thanks for your continuing support.”

2008 CORNERSTONE ALLIANCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Some of Cornerstone Alliance’s 2008 accomplishments include:
- The creation of 35 new jobs through companies like Western Promotions. Additionally, a major prospect was courted for over one year that ultimately chose a location in the region.
- The proposed Harbor Shores project reached several milestones in making the project a reality:
- The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is over 70% complete.
- Jack Nicklaus visited the community four times to work on the design of the course.
- All of the federal, state, and local permits needed to construct the golf course have been obtained.
- Two information centers on the project have opened.
- Environmental clean-up has resulted in 117,000 tons of debris removed from the site.
- Over 2,335 area resident and interested parties have toured the project site.
- A web site has been established with information on the project at www.harborshoresdevelopment.org.
- A five year Strategic Plan including measurements has been completed.



- The HOPE VI development project made great strides. Completed predevelopment planning for the next phase of the HOPE VI project known as Harbor Bluffs.
- A fourth season of the Benton Harbor City Market took place.
- First Choice in Michigan’s Great Southwest serviced over 547 assignments in 2008.
- The 10th Annual Coming Home Coming Together concert was held bringing 1,200 guests to downtown Benton Harbor.

SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES
2008 accomplishments include:
- The Benton Harbor Façade Improvement program funded 8 applications for grants.
- 41 new jobs were created as a result of new businesses launched by clients of Small Business Services.
- Over 340 business owners and entrepreneurs counseled by Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services.
- The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance provides women and others with opportunities to develop the skills and acquire the knowledge needed to achieve financial independence.
- Training seminars were conducted including Quick Books, CORE FOUR Business Planning Course, FranNet as well as others. Thirty-nine training sessions were conducted serving 520 clients.
- Small Business Services administered and serviced loans, resulting in four new SBA Microloans.
- Administered Community Development Funds in St. Joseph, Stevensville, Coloma, Watervliet and Benton Harbor.

CORNERSTONE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2008 accomplishments include:
- Conducted the Ritz Carlton training seminar—300 participated.
- Continued strategic Customer Service Initiative.
- Provided continuous opportunities for learning and business-to-business networking to all members, such as Business After Hours events, seminars, and several other events throughout the year.
- Continued collaboration efforts with the Berrien Springs/Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, Bridgman Area Chamber, Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Coloma-Watervliet Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Today and Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce.
- Hosted monthly Chief Elected Officials meetings and adopted seven key legislative issue resolutions.

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 Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization encouraging the growth of business through networking, advocacy, visibility and benefits for all of our members. The Chamber represents over 700 businesses that provide over 40,000 jobs for our community.

Cornerstone Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and provider.