Regional Chamber Earns Statewide Impact Award: Why MEDC Honored SMRC’s People-First Economic Development Strategy

In March, I stood on stage at MotorCity Casino’s Sound Board in Detroit to accept a 2025 Make It in Michigan Impact Award from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) at their Annual Leadership Summit. It was a proud moment—not just for our organization, but for the members, investors, and partners across Southwest Michigan who ... READ MORE

Since 2004, Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) has put a spotlight on small businesses across Michigan, aiming to make Michigan the “State of Entrepreneurship.” The organization not only brings much-deserved attention to small businesses but also creates a sense of connection throughout the state’s small business community. The organization’s roots lay in collaboration, beginning when ... READ MORE

As the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s footprint has expanded, Chamber leadership made a deliberate decision to expand its Board of Directors to reflect the full range of industries, institutions, and communities the Chamber now serves. This expansion was intentional, not incidental. Each new seat was added with regional representation in mind—ensuring that healthcare, manufacturing, energy, ... READ MORE

“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 ... READ MORE

Over the past eighteen months, few communities in Southwest Michigan have moved faster than Greater Buchanan. Public and private dollars have poured into infrastructure, placemaking, and redevelopment. The Grant Hotel and McCollum’s Restaurant & Bar brought life back to a long-dormant downtown landmark. The Buchanan Social District opened new doors for foot traffic and local ... READ MORE

Central Berrien does not lack for assets. It has manufacturing muscle, working farmland, world-class educational institutions, and a riverfront that attracts residents from all walks of life. What it has needed is someone to help six communities point all of that in the same direction. That someone is Jenni Leich, the new Director of the ... READ MORE

Since launching The Batalis Agency in early March 2025, Austin Batalis has become one of Southwest Michigan’s most active new business owners. Through hard work and community involvement, Austin has built strong momentum for his Farm Bureau Insurance agency in less than a year. Austin brings five years of insurance experience to his own agency, ... READ MORE

On November 20th, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber hosted the second annual HYPE (Highlighting Young Professional Excellence) Pitch Competition, gathering young innovators, community leaders, and business champions at the Solarium by Watermark. The venue’s blend of character and modern design set the stage for an evening focused on bold ideas and the entrepreneurs driving them ... READ MORE

All across Michigan, small businesses serve as the foundation of our communities. Case in point: in 2024, 96.2% of private businesses in Michigan were considered small businesses. To ensure the vitality of these integral drivers of our local economies, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has made a concerted effort to develop tools and programs ... READ MORE

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Business Recognition Breakfast returns on Friday, February 20, at Grand Upton Hall in the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Honor Credit Union, and The Batalis Agency-Farm Bureau Insurance, this year’s event highlights the collaboration reshaping Southwest Michigan’s business ... READ MORE

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s inaugural Management Accelerator program wrapped up this fall with outstanding results, earning an exceptional Net Promoter Score of 93 from participants who completed the three-session leadership development experience. Delivered in partnership with Lake Michigan College and facilitated by Kim Kavala of Legata Leadership Solutions, the program brought together 17 managers, ... READ MORE

Business and community leaders from across the region gathered on Wednesday, December 3rd, at The Grand LV in Niles for the Greater Niles Chamber’s 2025 State of the Economy Breakfast. Presented by Sturgis Bank and Trust, this event is an annual forum for leaders from state, regional, and local organizations to offer insight into how ... READ MORE

The Greater Bridgman area is poised to welcome a major new retail asset as Ace Hardware prepares to open a location in Lake Charter Township. The store will occupy the former Rite Aid building at the corner of Shawnee and Gast Roads, within the same shopping center as Harding’s Family Friendly Market. Announced by the ... READ MORE

Across the country, regions that thrive in today’s economy share a defining trait: they compete as one. They align their goals, share their strengths, and move forward together. In doing so, they unlock the kind of economic momentum no single community or organization can generate alone. Berrien County, by contrast, has operated differently. Our municipalities—and ... READ MORE

When Shape Corp., a global engineering and manufacturing company based in Grand Haven, set out to expand its workforce and prepare for the transition to electric vehicles, it turned to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Talent Action Team. For Amy Rencher, senior vice president of small business and talent at the MEDC, this partnership ... READ MORE

Downtown Buchanan has welcomed a stunning new addition to its historic district with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration for The Grant Hotel and McCollum’s Restaurant & Bar. The ribbon-cutting took place on Tuesday, August 26, drawing a large crowd of community members, business leaders, and local officials eager to celebrate the project’s completion. Guests ... READ MORE

A new wellness destination is coming to the heart of Downtown Bridgman. Beachside Salt & Soul, owned by local resident and Licensed Massage Therapist Sarah Buist, is set to open its doors at 4209 Lake Street, bringing with it a unique blend of therapeutic services and holistic self-care. With a professional background in massage therapy ... READ MORE

When Aiye Akhigbe, owner of Sticky Spoons Jam in Niles, looked around her production floor, she saw both potential and a problem. Labeling 700 jars of her boutique jams took five people an entire day. “We were literally jammed up,” she said. “Time, energy, and talent all tied up in one task.” With support from ... READ MORE

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Board of Directors has unanimously endorsed Lake Michigan College’s two millage renewal proposals appearing on the November 4th ballot. Why? Because our economy depends on the skilled workers Lake Michigan College produces. Ask any local employer, and they’ll tell you the same story: finding qualified workers is their single biggest ... READ MORE

Across Southwest Michigan, the lack of accessible, affordable child care has become a major barrier to workforce participation and regional growth. With capacity meeting just 42% of local demand, many parents are forced to reduce hours, leave the workforce, or forgo employment altogether. The result is a ripple effect that reduces productivity, strains household finances, ... READ MORE

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation has received a generous $50,000 gift from the Philip & Becky Laney Foundation to help fuel programs that support and strengthen the regional economy. The Laneys have been steadfast partners and advocates of the Chamber for many years. Through their Bridgman-based business, B&L Information Systems, they have supported countless ... READ MORE

This summer, Central Berrien County will begin receiving additional community and economic development services thanks to its newly established Chamber Growth Alliance (CGA). Powered by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, a CGA represents a locally led, collaborative economic development model that aligns both resources and stakeholders in a manner that increases economic development capacity and ... READ MORE

Make MI Home Program Helping Southwest Michigan Attract Talent The Michigan Growth Office, the council tasked with attracting and retaining people in Michigan, selected organizations to receive the first round of grant funding through Make MI Home in late 2024. The program empowers applicants to create region-specific programs that encourage current and future residents to ... READ MORE

We’ve reached one of those moments in time when the news cycle feels heavy and everyone I meet is asking the same question: “What can I do to help?” My answer is always the same—pick one action and watch how far it travels. In my work at United Way of Southwest Michigan, I’ve seen a ... READ MORE

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 ... READ MORE

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, in collaboration with Lake Michigan College and Legata Leadership Solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its latest leadership development initiative: Management Accelerator. This cutting-edge program is designed to strengthen the skills of those managing teams—whether newly promoted, seasoned supervisors, or small business owners—by equipping them with the tools ... READ MORE

The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber celebrated a spectacular afternoon of golf, connections, and fun at its Third Annual Wine & Nine on Friday, May 30, at Pipestone Creek Golf Course. The Annual Wine & Nine is an all-female golf outing featuring wine, a 60-minute golf clinic, and a nine-hole round. With a sold-out crowd, sunny ... READ MORE

Southwest Michigan’s business community showed up in full force for the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s Business Recognition Breakfast with over 600 of our local business leaders in attendance. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Corewell Health, and Honor Credit Union, the event celebrated the achievements and growth of the region’s business community. The ... READ MORE

The story of ActionLine is the story of our Chamber. Initially incorporated in 1954 as the Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce, our Chamber helped usher in a period of tremendous growth for the community. Led by some of the most influential business leaders of the time—such as Warren Gast, David F. Upton, John and ... READ MORE

Southwest Michigan has long been the home of some of Michigan’s most iconic businesses, from WK Kellogg Co. in Battle Creek to Whirlpool in Benton Harbor. While globally recognized businesses in a variety of industries hail from the region, it’s also a well-known hotspot for mid-sized and small businesses, as well as emerging entrepreneurs. The ... READ MORE

For years, the old Snowflake Motel property has sat vacant along Red Arrow Highway in Lincoln Charter Township. Once a symbol of hospitality, the site has since been defined by its inactivity and missed opportunities. Now, for the first time in decades, a vision for the property is on the verge of becoming something real. ... READ MORE

Changes to ESTA and Minimum Wage: In 2018, the Michigan legislature approved two voter initiatives—one raising the minimum wage while phasing out the tip credit and another significantly expanding paid sick leave. Before they took effect, lawmakers controversially amended both measures, scaling them back. After years of deliberation, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled those amendments ... READ MORE

Since its founding in 2019, Lake Side Fit has embarked on an inspiring journey. What started as a small fitness group has transformed into a full-scale 24-hour gym and wellness center with a thriving fitness community. Recently, Lake Side Fit expanded further by relocating to 4055 Lake Street, offering exceptional fitness services and a supportive ... READ MORE

Chambers of Commerce have always played an essential role in fostering growth in the local business communities they serve, but as our economic landscape evolves, their role has expanded. Today, chambers across the country are realizing they are uniquely positioned to support communities through some of their biggest challenges, including population decline, housing, childcare access, ... READ MORE