With supreme confidence in the community’s ability to recruit a new company, and Rob Cleveland’s never-ending drive to assure that we have all of the tools necessary to be ready at a moment’s notice, his team at Cornerstone Alliance got the necessary approval from the Benton Charter Township Planning Commission tonight to launch construction of a new 100,000 square foot industrial facility in the Cornerstone Industrial Park. Cleveland says that Michigan-based CBK Construction will being that project as soon as possible.
Located adjacent to the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, the Cornerstone Industrial Park is ideally located for industrial and logistics operations. Benton Harbor-based Wightman has played a significant role in the due diligence activities, as well as necessary infrastructure, including the creation of a retention pond and clearing the park for additional development.
Cleveland, President & CEO of Cornerstone Alliance President addressed the crucial elements of the project, especially the assistance his team gained from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), saying, “This job creation center absolutely would not have happened without three great partners – CBK Construction, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Benton Charter Township.” Cleveland adds, “All three of these entities played a critical role in the development. CBK Construction has shown a willingness to assume the construction risk based on its confidence in our community and our ability to do the things necessary to recruit a new company. The building is also a direct result of the Site Readiness program from the MEDC. This program supported investment in a site that needed just a little bit more in order to attract a builder. Because of the MEDC’s Site Readiness partnership, this site was immediately ready for CBK Construction to move dirt.”
Cornerstone Alliance submitted an application on behalf of the Cornerstone Industrial Park back in 2019 to the MEDC Site Readiness program. Build-ready sites have appropriate planning, zoning, surveys, title work, environmental conditions, soil conditions, and infrastructure in place. The property must also be available for sale and development and site information is ready, and up-to-date.
The Michigan Build Ready Sites program assists with the development or enhancement of industrial sites to make them more competitive during the site selection process. Local and regional economic development or community partners submitted applications that demonstrated a plan and pathway to a vetted site. Grant funds under the program could be used for activities including site development studies or site material development, site implementation or land assembly activities, and more. These requirements made the Cornerstone Industrial Park a perfect candidate for this program.
Cathy Tilley, Business Development Manager at Cornerstone Alliance, explaiined why this site should spark the developer’s interest, noting, “This project is just another example of the things that make Benton Charter Township an attractive place for developers to invest their money. In the first few months of 2021, Township officials have utilized tools to redevelop commercial space on M-139, and now to encourage industrial development and primary job creation for their residents.” Tilley adds, “From day one, the team at CBK Construction has supported the idea of this building in Benton Charter Township. The ease with which they adjust to changes and their understanding of what the modern industrial tenant needs in a building should quickly attract a job-creator for the building.”
Cathy Yates, Benton Charter Township Supervisor, says, “On behalf of the Benton Charter Township Trustees and residents, we are thankful for CBK Construction’s desire to set the stage for new development in our community,” and points out, “The new building in the Cornerstone Industrial Park will generate new job opportunities for our residents, and it will grow our tax base. We know that our community will grow when we recruit new companies and this building is the next step in doing that.”
An additional 30 acres of property is available for development which may be used in a second phase to attract more companies to Southwest Michigan.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy.
CBK Construction Company is a Michigan-based firm providing a broad range of PEMB and Facility Maintenance construction services. They are dedicated to building lasting partnerships with clients by delivering the highest level of service and quality. CBK contends, “When it comes to construction, one size does not fit all. By leveraging our experience in design/build and general contracting, we are able to custom fit a solution that best suits your project. This means considering not just obvious budgetary and scheduling concerns, but also the unique nature of your operation, your team, and your way of doing business.”
Wightman is a full-service consulting firm with a dynamic team of more than 130 professionals who work to analyze, advise, design, and deliver successful projects in partnership with government, business, and institutions in the communities they serve. Services offered include Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environmental, and Surveying. Additional specialty services include GIS, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, and Reality Capture. The Benton Harbor-headquartered firm also has Michigan offices in Allegan, Kalamazoo, and Royal Oak.
Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization, whose focus is to increase employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest. They offer specialized business services particularly in economically distressed areas of our region.
