Leaders at ‘Visit Southwest Michigan’ and United Federal Credit Union are expressing great optimism and satisfaction with their deal involving the former downtown branch of UFCU, which will become the new Tourist Information Center and headquarters for Visit Southwest Michigan.
Marcy Simpson is the Executive Director of VSM:
“We are thrilled to announce our move to St. Joseph. Our new space is the platform for our next chapter. With expanded facilities and a more accessible location within easy driving distance of both Stevensville and Benton Harbor, we will be better equipped to fulfill our mission and deepen our impact for years to come. The new space represents more than growth for our organization — it’s an opportunity to build stronger connections and truly be part of the communities we serve.”
MoodyOnTheMarket.com reported Monday that the former bank building at Main & Broad Streets would become the Tourist Information Center, after being vacant for only a few weeks upon closure of the UFCU downtown office in March.
The head of UFCU is pleased with the outcome:
“Seeing the former Downtown St. Joseph branch find new life with Visit Southwest Michigan is incredibly exciting for the community,” said Terry O’Rourke, president and CEO of United Federal Credit Union. “This building has always been about bringing people together, and we’re proud to see it continue serving that purpose in a new way. Visit Southwest Michigan’s vision for this space reflects the same spirit of growth, service, and local pride that we value at United. We’re especially excited about the positive community impact it will create for residents, local businesses, and visitors to downtown St. Joseph.”
Visit Southwest Michigan has been expanding its regional presence and the scope of its promotion beyond traditional ‘tourist’ oriented activities. The group had been known since its inception as the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council until a year ago. Recently they have stepped up efforts to attract regional and statewide meetings and other events to the area as well. Leaders say the new, highly visitble location is a milestone symbolic of their greater mission moving forward.
“Our organization is all about promoting destination attractions and events in our area. This building provides us with a multitude of opportunities,” said Mike Nadolski, board president of Visit Southwest Michigan. “We are excited to have such a central location in downtown St. Joseph and be part of the continued momentum and energy shaping the future of this community,” he said. “This investment reflects our confidence in the region, our commitment to serving local residents and businesses, and our belief in the positive impact this project will have for decades to come.”
In concert with that broadening of scope beyond traditional tourist information, Visit Southwest Michigan earlier this year announced ‘106.1 Visit SW Michigan Radio’. In partnership with Mid-West Family Marketing and Media, VSM began programing a fulltime radio station and streaming service showcasing the best places and actvities Southwest Michigan has to offer to visitors as well as local residents.
In today’s formal announcement, VSM said it is too early in their planning to give a timetable for their move to the new location or what other uses there may be for the space beyond their own offices and visitor information center. The building haas a large lobby, two floors of offices, a former drive-thru banking facility and basement storage space, totaling about 19,000 square feet.
