NEWLY-FORMED CENTRAL BERRIEN CGA HIRES FIRST DIRECTOR

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI – Berrien County’s newly created Central County Chamber Growth Alliance reported last week that Robert “Bob” Jones has been hired as the CGA’s first ever director. Jones was one of two finalists interviewed in mid-July by representatives of the six municipalities forming the CGA.
The Central County CGA was formed by the villages of Baroda, Berrien Springs and Eau Claire as well as the townships of Baroda, Berrien and Oronoko. Discussions about forming the new organization began a year ago and details were finalized earlier this year.
Jones has over two decades of economic development experience and is no stranger to Southwest Michigan and Berrien County. Most recently in Cuba City, WI, he promoted the establishment of 40 new businesses, brought new companies and assisted existing ones in the city’s industrial park and encouraged downtown businesses with the implementation of a façade improvement program. The city’s downtown was recognized in 2017 with the Wisconsin Main Street Best Downtown Revitalization Award.
Jones got much of his economic development experience right here in Southwest Michigan. He worked previously for both the Cornerstone Alliance and Kinexus in Benton Harbor. In those roles, he supported business owners and entrepreneurs with planning and market research as well as the development of former brownfield sites.
The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber has accelerated outreach efforts to area communities in the last few years. They have done that by promoting CGAs, which they describe as “a locally led, collaborative economic development model that aligns both resources and stakeholders in a manner that increases economic development capacity and outcomes.”
SMR Chamber leaders say the launch of the Central Berrien CGA represents an exciting step toward helping communities realize their full potential. As more municipalities express interest in forming CGAs of their own, the Chamber remains committed to working alongside local leaders to catalyze growth and drive impact across Berrien County.
The Central Berrien CGA will officially launch with its inaugural board meeting this August. The board will guide the CGA’s overall program of work and ensure alignment across communities. It will consist of an elected official and a community leader from each participating municipality, guaranteeing each an equal voice in shaping decisions.
Chamber officials said that the municipalities have already identified several key focus areas, including downtown development, community marketing, and the attraction of small- to mid-sized businesses. An open house will follow the initial board meeting, offering the public a chance to learn more about the initiative and engage with the work ahead.