“Growth is no longer automatic,” Arthur Havlicek told a packed Grand Upton Hall on February 20. “It is earned.”
That line set the tone for the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Business Recognition Breakfast, where more than 600 business leaders, elected officials, and community builders gathered not just to celebrate—but to take stock.
Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Corewell Health, Honor Credit Union, and The Batalis Agency—Farm Bureau Insurance, the event has grown into the region’s largest and most anticipated business gathering—and a barometer for the momentum building across Southwest Michigan.
A Region Aligned
In his keynote, Havlicek didn’t shy away from the headwinds. Michigan has recorded more deaths than births for five consecutive years. Young adults ages 25–34 have declined across all three counties in the tri-county region since 2000. His message: talent must choose to live here—and the regions that are most aligned are having the most success attracting it.
But the president and CEO had more than a diagnosis. He had evidence of momentum. A $300 million housing pipeline taking shape across Berrien County. The success of Discover Southwest Michigan, the region’s first 501(c)(3) dedicated exclusively to population growth. Historic partnerships with the Greater Niles Chamber and Buchanan Area Chamber—formally uniting north and south Berrien County under a shared vision for the first time. And the expansion of Chamber Growth Alliances into Central Berrien and Southwest Berrien, bringing dedicated, on-the-ground economic development capacity where it has never existed before.
“Southwest Michigan is beginning to think like a region,” Havlicek said. “And the Regional Chamber is making it happen.”
The Awards
The program concluded with the Business Recognition Awards, where live audience voting gave the room a direct hand in choosing this year’s honorees—eight businesses, organizations, and individuals whose work reflects a region building on all fronts.
Best New Business Award: McCollum’s at the Grant Hotel
Co-owners Cami Bowling and Michael Reed transformed the 1800s-era McCollum Building on Days Avenue into a 10-room boutique hotel and full-service restaurant overlooking McCoy Creek—a $3 million project supported in part by a $1.25 million MEDC grant. With a menu built around bold, seasonal flavors and a bar stocked with craft cocktails and deep bourbon selections, McCollum’s has become both a community gathering spot and a draw for visitors discovering downtown Buchanan.
Small Business of the Year Award: Zo’s Mini Donuts
What started in 2023 as a single food truck near Warren Dunes has grown into a regional favorite with five pink mobile kitchens, 22 seasonal employees, and locations in Sawyer, New Buffalo, and St. Joseph. Sisters Zoey and Lydia Heyn—a Bridgman High School DECA international champion and an MSU marketing grad—have won the Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition, earned first place at the DECA International Career Development Conference, and are now finalists in the statewide Michigan’s Next Big Idea Pitch Competition.
Economic Impact Award: Corewell Health
Corewell Health, as one of the region’s largest employers, has invested $55 million in Southwest Michigan’s economic vitality—from a new cardiology clinic in Watervliet and mobile health services reaching rural communities to $1 million in talent initiatives that include nurse apprenticeships and youth internship programs. The Corewell Health Foundation has directed nearly half a million dollars more to community-based resources in mental health, food access, and transportation, reinforcing Corewell’s role as an anchor institution in the region’s growth.
Non-Profit Excellence Award: Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan
Meals on Wheels delivers to 250–300 homebound seniors daily and serves another 300-plus meals across 13 senior center sites in Berrien and Van Buren counties—more than 11,000 meals each month. The organization’s newest initiative, medically appropriate meals tailored to seniors managing chronic health conditions, reflects a commitment to evolving alongside the community’s changing needs.
Community Impact Award: City of Buchanan, Downtown Infrastructure
Buchanan completed its landmark downtown reconstruction in November 2025, replacing century-old water mains, storm sewers, and sanitary infrastructure across two blocks of Front Street while introducing a new tabletop street design, wider sidewalks, and a flexible multi-use plaza. Funded primarily through a 40-year, $16.2 million low-interest USDA Rural Development loan and MDOT support, the project positions Buchanan’s downtown for a new generation of investment and community life.
Rising Star Award: Chris Britton, New Heights CCDA
Since founding New Heights CCDA in 2017, Chris Britton has built a multi-program nonprofit serving Benton Heights through an Auto Ministry, a Community Food Network reaching more than 90 households, and the $1.3 million Laundry Hub—a community resource center offering wraparound services from financial coaching to career development. His work extends across the region as a member of the United Way Impact Cabinet, Vice Chair of the Mosaic CCDA Board, and Chair of Children of Promise.
The Pat Moody Award: Dr. Megan Yore, Sturgis Bank & Trust
Before joining Sturgis Bank as Chief Marketing Officer, Dr. Yore led marketing and communications at Spectrum Health Lakeland, earning national recognition as a top hospital marketer. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University, along with a Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University—and she has channeled that experience into pro bono marketing strategies for more than 20 organizations across Southwest Michigan.
Ambassador of the Year: Dr. Kimberly Pichot, Andrews University
As Dean of the College of Professions at Andrews University, Dr. Pichot has spent more than 20 years helping over 300 organizations grow through consulting in strategic planning, organizational development, and marketing. A business coach, educator, and Enactus faculty advisor, she has dedicated her career to mentoring aspiring leaders—particularly women in academia and entrepreneurship—while connecting Andrews University students to the broader Southwest Michigan community through service initiatives.
For the full list of this year’s nominees, visit www.smrchamber.com
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