A quick scan of the small business landscape in Michigan’s Great Southwest will give you an immediate snapshot of the power and impact of the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance. Over the last 15 years that small but powerful team at Berrien County’s lead economic development agency has helped countless women launch private enterprises of all shapes and sizes…and now, they’re expanding their footprint into Van Buren County.
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance and the City of South Haven announced today that they are partnering to bring small business resources to entrepreneurs in South Haven and across Van Buren County.
Thanks to the support of the City of South Haven, the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance is opening a satellite office at City Hall in South Haven. Beginning March 18th, the WBC office will be located in Conference Room A at City Hall located at 539 Phoenix Street in South Haven. Thanks to that arrangement, WBC staff will be available on Mondays and at other times by appointment.
This is not the first time that the WBC has expanded its outreach. In addition to its primary location in Benton Harbor, the WBC has a satellite office at the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce in Three Oaks.
Dubelsa Mata-Garcia is a Women’s Business Center Associate. She says, “The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance is constantly looking for ways to provide better services to more people,” and adds, “We have served Van Buren County, and its residents, for many years.” However, she adds, “By providing office space, the City of South Haven has made it easier for all Van Buren County residents to start and grow their businesses, and access the services and programs of the Women’s Business Center and Small Business Services.”
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance provides comprehensive services that help entrepreneurs in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass Counties start, grow, and expand their businesses. Services offered include:
- Business assessment
- Counseling
- Planning
- Training
- Education
- Financing
- Resources
The WBC is an SBA Microloan Intermediary, providing loans from $500 to $50,000 to small businesses for financing such items as working capital, inventory, machinery or equipment.
South Haven Mayor Scott Smith is delighted with the new arrangement, saying today, “On behalf of the City of South Haven, I am pleased to announce the partnership with the team at Cornerstone Alliance.” Smith adds, “The intent of this partnership is to help local businesses grow and new businesses take root in this great area. We are thrilled to help offer Cornerstone Alliance services in South Haven.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can call Dubelsa Mata-Garcia at (269) 757-0225 or visit online at this link: http://www.cornerstonewbc.com
Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest; with specialized business services offered in economically distressed areas.
Since 2004, the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance has provided technical, business, and financial assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass Counties, with an emphasis on income-disadvantaged, woman-owned businesses, and minorities. The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance is one of three Women’s Business Centers in the state of Michigan funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
