By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI – Buchanan High School graduate and Niles resident Jennifer Leich has been hired as the new Central County Chamber Growth Alliance Director. She will oversee economic development in six central county communities in a partnership between the communities and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
Leich’s office will be in the Oronoko Township Hall on Snow Road outside Berrien Springs but she plans to spend a lot of time in all the Central County CGA communities. Central County CGA members are Baroda Village, Baroda Township, Berrien Springs Village, Berrien Township, Eau Claire Village and Oronoko Township.
Chamber President Arthur Havlicek reported in early 2025 that the idea of forming a CGA came up last year as a way to market and develop the central county area, which he said has traditionally been underserved. A CGA allows municipalities and other investors to share resources to hire a person to work with existing and new businesses.
“Part of the county that has traditionally been underserved is the central county,” he said. “It’s a question of whether you want healthy growth or negative growth.”
He pointed out that areas with healthy growth have people moving in, increased tax revenue, more investment, and show signs of vitality. An area with negative growth has people moving out, a declining tax base, and businesses making fewer investments.
Leich is a Niles native and currently lives with her husband, Chris, on a small “hobby” farm in Howard Township just outside of Niles. She loves spending time outdoors, is a member of an area fishing club, and enjoys working on a variety of home projects.
Leich comes to the Chamber Growth Alliance after a career in economic development. She worked for 14 years at Michigan Works! in two stints, divided by 10 years spent working for the state of Michigan in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
At Michigan Works!, she was on the business solutions team which she sees as having a lot of overlap with her new job. “I was working with employers, connecting them with funding opportunities and workforce development,” she said. “I also worked with local CTE (Career Technical Education) programs to connect students with employers.”
“My main focus was business development and community development, so I have that knowledge and experience,” she added. “I’ve also always wanted to get into the ag space and now I’m able to do that too.”
At MDHHS, her job was to assist low income residents get the benefits they were eligible for as well as connect them with resources in the community.
Her connections to this area are many, both from her travels back and forth from Niles to Benton Harbor for work when she would stop at shops and businesses in Baroda, Berrien Springs and Eau Claire, as well as for trips to enjoy the many amenities of the area.
In her first two weeks on the job, Leich has met with different municipal and community leaders for tours so far of Baroda, Berrien Springs, Berrien Township and Oronoko Township. She also plans to renew the acquaintances and connections she’s made over the years in both her personal and professional lives.
“I’m meeting with a lot of local resource providers and municipal leaders,” she said. “I want to see what’s thriving and what needs support. I want to line up resources for the communities and learn where the state grants are.”
When asked what she’s seen so far in her tour of the central county area, she said she’s been impressed with the agriculture related businesses she’s seen in the townships as well as the vitality and small town charm of the three towns of Baroda, Berrien Springs and Eau Claire.
“I’m trying to figure out how we can celebrate more of our farm stands,” she said. “More people are now into the farm to table movement and I want to find ways to recognize what’s grown in this area. I also want to help these small towns market themselves and all they have to offer. I want to connect all those pieces and make people aware of what’s here.”
Leich describes her job as helping central county leaders, businesses and residents “connect all the dots.” “Whether it’s community or economic development, I’m the contact person to help attract people to the area and then stay here. I want people to enjoy these communities. I have a passion for community.”