Residents of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties may soon see new faces around town, thanks to the Chamber’s new program designed to grow Southwest Michigan’s population.
Discover Southwest Michigan is an innovative talent attraction program that helps employers engage and retain new talent by helping employees find a home and a community in Southwest Michigan.
Discover was initially launched in May of 2024. Funding from Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, AEP Foundation, Corewell Health Legacy Fund, and the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Foundation allowed Discover to work with Aisle Rocket Studios to create a dedicated website where those looking to relocate could learn more about Southwest Michigan, explore available opportunities with local employers, and book a complimentary tour of the community of their choice. In October, Discover was one of five organizations selected to participate in a state-level pilot program through the MEDC Michigan Growth Office’s “Make MI Home” program. Thanks to the Make MI Home pilot program, and additional partnerships with Lake Michigan College, Berrien Community Foundation, Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors, Southwest Michigan First, and several local employers, Discover is now able to offer relocation incentives to program participants, including: $5,000 in down payment assistance for first time home buyers, free tuition at Lake Michigan College, and tailored relocation support including help with school enrollment and trailing spouse support.
While new residents will receive direct support through the program, current Berrien County residents will also reap the benefits of a growing population, including more workers and customers for local businesses, more healthcare providers to treat local families, increased tax revenue for local municipalities, and ultimately, a more vibrant community. Discover also offers benefits to employers looking to attract talent by enabling them to highlight available positions within their organization to a national audience through the Discover Southwest Michigan website and the ability to offer comprehensive relocation support to those who accept jobs in Southwest Michigan.
In his remarks at the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 28th, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced Discover Southwest Michigan would officially begin accepting applications for those interested in moving to Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County. Since the announcement, the program has garnered interest from across the country, with over 500 applications submitted, representing over 1,100 potential new residents. If all
500 of these applicants were to make the move to Southwest Michigan, it would generate an additional $15.5 million in economic activity annually across the region.
“We are thrilled to officially launch Discover Southwest Michigan and begin welcoming new talent to our incredible region,” said Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This moment represents the culmination of a powerful partnership with the Growth Office, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life. As we work to address Michigan’s population growth challenge, this program provides a meaningful incentive to make Southwest Michigan home. I encourage anyone looking for new opportunities and vibrant communities to apply today and discover all that Southwest Michigan has to offer.”
Do you know someone interested in moving to Southwest Michigan? Want to learn more about how Discover Southwest Michigan can help your business with talent attraction and recruiting needs? You can learn more by visiting discoversouthwestmichigan.org or by contacting Molly McFadden at [email protected].
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