The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber today announced a director for the new Central Berrien Chamber Growth Alliance (CGA). The Central Berrien CGA is a new entity of the Regional Chamber, established to collaborate with municipalities, businesses, and other community leaders in the Baroda, Berrien Springs, and Eau Claire areas to assist with and help shape local economic development.
In an interview on the WSJM Morning Show with Ken & Friends, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber President and CEO Arthur Havlicek announced Robert “Bob” Jones has been named as the inaugural director for the Central Berrien CGA. Havlicek said Jones is a seasoned professional with nearly 30 years of experience in business and economic development — including a tenure at the economic development group Cornerstone Alliance and the workforce training group Kinexus.
“We fielded over 20 applicants for this critical role, and the quality of candidates was truly impressive,” said Havlicek. “After a rigorous interview process conducted in concert with representatives from each of the member communities, Bob emerged as the clear choice.”
Havlicek said Jones brings a wealth of experience, having most recently served for eight years as the Economic Development Director for Cuba City, Wisconsin. During his tenure there, Havlicek said Jones was instrumental in establishing 40 new businesses and garnered multiple statewide awards for his impactful work. Prior to that, he held the position of Executive Director for the Lafayette Development Corporation and was a member of Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin, an economic development agency.
Jones spent two years at Kinexus as an SBA-certified business consultant, a certification he still holds. From 2006 to 2012, he was an economic development professional and program manager at Cornerstone Alliance, where he played a key role in the formative years of the Harbor Shores development.
“Bob needs zero training or coaching; he has 30 years of ‘been there, done that’ experience and is raring to go,” Havlicek stated. His immediate priorities will include engaging with municipalities to understand their specific needs, collaborating with the local board to establish key priorities, and conducting a comprehensive commercial property inventory across the communities.
“Whether someone walks in the door wanting to start a business or a community expresses a need like ‘we really need a coffee shop to revitalize our downtown,’ Bob will be the person to help make it happen,” Havlicek explained, emphasizing the proactive and responsive nature of the new director’s role.
Jones is set to begin his new role later this month.
