Cornerstone Alliance convened business, municipal, and community leaders Thursday evening at Union + Social in downtown St. Joseph for its Annual Meeting, held during International Economic Development Week. In a statement, Cornerstone said the program reflected on a year of purposeful progress and looked ahead to the collaborations and investments that will define Berrien County’s next chapter of growth. Here is an overview of the annual meeting, supplied by Cornerstone:
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The evening opened with a welcome from Natalie Baggio, President, Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan and Board Vice Chair of Cornerstone Alliance. Remarks from Pam Klyn, President, Whirlpool Foundation and Board Chair of Cornerstone Alliance, included acknowledging the Board, staff, and setting the vision for development over the years ahead. “I have never been more confident in or more excited about the direction of Cornerstone Alliance and what this team has and is going to accomplish,” said Klyn.
The evening also featured a keynote address, The Power of &TM, from Matt Elliott, former president of Bank of America Michigan and founder of Blue Lake Ideas. Elliott shared practical insights on the importance of collaboration and the impact it has on lasting change.
Carla Sones, Interim CEO of Southwest Michigan First, provided positive perspective on the region’s shared economic development organizations and the effort under new leadership to maximize impact through building organizational capacity and sharing resources.
“2025 stands as both a testament and a launchpad,” said Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance. “Across the county, our work centered on one simple but powerful goal: turning potential into progress. None of this happens alone. It is made possible by the investors, municipal leaders, businesses, and community advocates who believe in the future of this region.”
Preparing Places for What Comes Next
Cornerstone Alliance reported 112 municipal capacity building engagements in 2025, working directly with communities across the county to strengthen planning, development readiness, and long-term growth. Developer Day brought together more than 55 developers, bankers, and regional partners to tour seven catalytic sites, generating four active development leads that are now advancing potential projects across Berrien County. At Lake Michigan Industrial Park, $4.3 million in state funding and 827 acres of development-ready land are positioning the region to compete for the next generation of industrial investment.
Canal Commons, a new one-acre public waterfront gathering space in Benton Harbor developed with $2 million in public and private investment, stands as a model for the placemaking work ahead. Opening for community programming in summer 2026, it reflects Cornerstone Alliance’s role as a connector and convener, bringing people together to turn opportunity into lasting impact.
On housing, Cornerstone Alliance shared data from a completed countywide Housing Needs Assessment, pointing to a need for more than 6,300 units over the next five years. In response, the organization announced the creation of a dedicated housing resource and a new staff role focused solely on advancing housing solutions across the region, ensuring communities are aligned and equipped to grow at the scale the future demands.
Growing Businesses, Supporting Entrepreneurs
A strong economy grows from the ground up. In 2025, Cornerstone Alliance supported 578 unique clients through counseling and training, helped launch 14 new businesses, facilitated 21 capital infusions, and supported 370 jobs across the region.
A standout milestone was the inaugural graduating class of the Business Plan Certified program, celebrated at the ELEVATE Entrepreneurship event in October. Sixteen entrepreneurs completed the eight-month program, presenting their business plans to a panel of local investors and stepping forward prepared to launch and grow.
Looking Ahead: New Collaborations for 2026
The Annual Meeting also served as a springboard for what comes next. Two announcements signaled Cornerstone Alliance’s commitment to expanding access and deepening its presence across Berrien County.
A new memorandum of understanding with the Emerge Innovation Hub will create expanded pathways for entrepreneurs to access resources, space, and support throughout Southwest Michigan, strengthening the regional ecosystem for innovation and business growth.
This partnership between Cornerstone and Emerge expands possibilities for entrepreneurs across Southwest Michigan,” said Andrew Robinson, President and CEO of Emerge Innovation Hub. “By working collaboratively together, we’re increasing access to the resources, space, and support needed to turn ideas into sustainable businesses and drive long-term economic growth in the region.”
Cornerstone Alliance and the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce announced a shared satellite office space in downtown New Buffalo, set to open in early summer 2026. This space is generously provided by CopperRock Construction’s Executive Homes division. This location will give both organizations a visible, welcoming presence in Harbor Country.
“This is exactly the kind of opportunity we’ve been looking for,” said John Bonkoske, Board Chair of the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce. “A high-visibility location in downtown New Buffalo means we can better serve the small businesses, residents, and visitors who make Harbor Country thrive. Whether you’re a local resident or a tourist discovering this community for the first time, this space will be a welcoming front door.”
“With these two announcements, we are defining alignment with our resource partners by building capacity, reducing duplication, and sharing resources,” Schneider said. “Together, we are building a Berrien County where people can find opportunity, businesses can grow with confidence, and communities can thrive for generations to come.”
The full story of Cornerstone 2025, including data, community investment, and the work of the team and collaborators, is available in the Cornerstone Alliance 2025 Annual Report at cstonealliance.org/2025-annual-report.
