Cornerstone Alliance

05/29/2026

Cornerstone Alliance is honored to be named one of MoodyontheMarket.com's Best Places to Work for 2026!

This award reflects the dedication and heart of our entire team. At Cornerstone Alliance, our mission is straightforward: create opportunity and build a region where people want to stay and put down roots. That philosophy shapes not only how we serve Berrien County, but how we show up for each other every day.

We are proud to do this work together, and this recognition is a meaningful reminder of why it matters. Congratulations to the full class of 2026 honorees across Southwest Michigan!

www.moodyonthemarket.com/cornerstone-alliance-joins-the-best-places-to-work-class-of-2026/

Chrissy Meek will tell you she might be a little biased. She works at Cornerstone Alliance — and she’s also the one who nominated them. But that, she says, is exactly why you should trust her. Cornerstone

05/28/2026

Last week’s Manufacturers’ Roundtable gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how pickle relish is processed and manufactured at Flamm Pickle. From learning about the company’s history to hearing about new innovations and products in the works, it was a great opportunity to connect and learn from one of our region’s manufacturers.

Thank you to Dorothy Munao and the Flamm Pickle team for hosting, and to Rodney Parkonnen and the MEDC for sharing resources and second-stage growth solutions available to manufacturers across Michigan.

Safe to say… we relished the experience!

05/22/2026

Real progress. Real partnerships. Real impact across Berrien County.

At our Annual Meeting, we were joined by 150+ investors, partners, and community members who fuel the collaboration that makes this work possible. Here's a look at what we accomplished together in 2025:

62 jobs created or retained
$3.5M in capital investment secured
827 acres ready for industrial development at Lake Michigan Industrial Park
$2M unlocked at Canal Commons
578 entrepreneurs counseled and trained
14 new businesses launched
6,300+ housing units identified as a regional need

This is what's possible when a community invests in itself. Thank you to every investor, partner, and municipal leader who showed up and helped move Berrien County forward. Your investment in this work matters.

View the full 2025 Annual Report: cstonealliance.org/2025-annual-report/.

05/20/2026

Yesterday, Cornerstone Alliance was honored to host Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II for a roundtable discussion focused on the future of Berrien County and Southwest Michigan.

The conversation highlighted the collaboration, investment, and momentum happening across our region and provided an opportunity to share more about the work and projects shaping our communities and local economy.

Thank you to Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist for taking the time to visit, and to our partners at Whirlpool Corporation and Corewell Health Southwest Michigan for joining the conversation.

05/15/2026

Please join us in recognizing Jenna Huffman-Schmidt on her 3-year anniversary with Cornerstone Alliance!

As Events Manager, Jenna leads the planning and ex*****on of events and programs that support community engagement, investor relations, and economic development efforts across Berrien County. From annual meetings and stakeholder events to workshops and community gatherings, she helps create experiences that bring people together and strengthen connections throughout the region.

Known for her energy, creativity, and ability to connect with others, Jenna brings a thoughtful and welcoming approach to every event she leads. Her passion for creating memorable and impactful experiences helps foster meaningful relationships and conversations across our communities.

Thank you, Jenna, for the dedication, enthusiasm, and community spirit you bring to this work and our region!

05/08/2026

How does site and asset development connect to economic development?

In our latest feature, Strategic Projects Manager Jillian Nadolski tours two active sites that illustrate the work happening behind the scenes. At Cornerstone Industrial Park, site readiness efforts are underway to position the property for new development opportunities. At Lake Michigan Industrial Park, that work includes two drain relocation projects, the reconstruction of Yore Avenue, and 285 acres of land prepared for investment.

Site readiness is foundational to economic development. It is the work that ensures Berrien County is positioned to compete when new opportunities emerge.

Thank you for joining us this week as we explored the many forms economic development takes across Berrien County! Our work continues every day, and there's always more on the horizon. Explore our upcoming events and programming: cstonealliance.org/events-main-page

05/07/2026

Today's Annual Meeting wouldn't be possible without the partnership of our incredible sponsors!

A heartfelt thank you to:
1st Source Bank
Huntington Bank
LKF Marketing
Mno-Bmadsen
United Federal Credit Union
Wales Wealth Management Group

Your support fuels the work shaping economic development in Berrien County. We are grateful for your partnership!

05/07/2026

Annual Meeting day is here! Today, we will be joined by our partners, community members, investors, and many others who fuel the collaboration that makes all this work possible. We'll be celebrating our 2025 impact, taking a look ahead at the work shaping economic development in Berrien County, and hearing from keynote speaker Matt Elliott.

Highlights coming to our channels soon. Plus, our 2025 Annual Report goes live tomorrow on our website!

05/06/2026

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office is accepting applications for the Rural Heritage Partnership Grant Program, a competitive funding opportunity designed to invest in the historic buildings and heritage assets of Michigan's small, rural communities.

Historic preservation is more than just plaques, it's an important economic development tool that drives heritage tourism, reinvestment, increased property values, talent attraction, and community pride. This grant supports building rehabilitation projects that create real economic impact, and nonprofits, local governments, and public entities are encouraged to explore this opportunity and apply.

Cornerstone Alliance is proud to have in-house expertise in preservation, including historic designation, applying for historic tax credits to support redevelopment projects, and development of community strategies.

If you have a project you're considering or would like to know more about how preservation can drive prosperity in your community, please connect with our team!

Learn more at: https://www.miplace.org/historic-preservation/programs-and-services/rural-heritage-grant/

05/06/2026

Housing is economic development.

In our latest feature, Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance, walks through the strategy behind one of Berrien County's most pressing challenges. Our recent housing study identified affordability as the largest gap in our market, with the greatest need at the $300,000 price point and below.

That finding is driving our response on multiple fronts, including partnering with municipalities, collaborating with developers, exploring creative financing, and hiring a new Director of Housing Advancement, all working to fill the need for more than 6,000 new units over the next five years.

Attracting and retaining the talent our employers depend on begins with a place to call home.

Learn more about our housing strategy and resources: cstonealliance.org/berrien-county-housing-resources