Lake Side Fit Grows to New Location
Lake Side Fit is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its brand-new location at 4055 Lake Street, marking a significant milestone in a journey that began as a simple idea and has grown into something far greater than imagined. To commemorate this exciting new chapter, the Greater Bridgman Chamber & Growth Alliance (CGA) and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber invite the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, February 28th, at 4:30 p.m., followed by an Open House on Saturday, March
Holtec Launches “Mission 2030” to Deploy America’s First SMR-300s at the Palisades Site in Michigan
Holtec has launched “Mission 2030,” a program to build America’s first small modular reactors – Holtec’s SMR-300 – at the Palisades site in Covert Township, Michigan, with a target of 2030 for first commercial operation. The new SMR-300s will be co-located with the existing 800-megawatt Palisades plant, which is on track to restart after an extended outage following shutdown in 2022. Together, the historic plant restart and addition of two SMR-300s make Southwest Michigan ground zero for America’s nuclear
Chick-fil-A Announces First Benton Harbor Restaurant, Opening Feb. 27
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Media Hotline RestaurantOpenings@chick-fil-a.com (800) 404-7196Chick-fil-A Announces First Benton Harbor Restaurant, Opening Feb. 27 Restaurant Brings Approximately 135 Full- and Part-Time Jobs to Community, Honors 100 Local Heroes with Free Chick-fil-A Entrées for a Year BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (Feb. 26, 2025) – A new Chick-fil-A® restaurant will begin serving the Benton Harbor community on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Chick-fil-A, Inc. has selected Justin Barnes as
DOWNTOWN ST. JOE COMES ALIVE WITH WEEKEND EVENTS, MARCH 7-8
DOWNTOWN ST. JOE COMES ALIVE WITH WEEKEND EVENTS, MARCH 7-8 ST. JOSEPH, MICH. — On Friday, March 7 visitors can stroll through downtown St. Joseph and enjoy March Mannequins, sponsored by The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council. Windows will display community volunteers as they pose perfectly still, like mannequins. Watch storefronts of participating businesses come alive from 7:00p-8:30p. This year’s theme features Decades. Attendees can vote for their favorite windows
New Heights CCDA Celebrates Transformative Impact in 2024
New Heights CCDA is proud to announce a year of remarkable achievements in 2024, significantly enhancing the lives of individuals and families in our community through dedicated service and innovative programs. New Heights Auto Ministry: Driving Change In 2024, the New Heights Auto Ministry conducted 232 vehicle repairs and provided 32 vehicles to those in need. These efforts assisted 100 households through our services, resulting in an impressive $105,923 directly saved by clients through
2025 SWMI & National January Housing Market Growing inventory, record selling prices, and a modest uptake in the mortgage rate
“Winter weather did not dampen the housing market in January. For the second consecutive year, the number of houses sold in January was higher than the same month in the previous year. The year started with an elevated inventory, record selling prices, and a modest uptake in the mortgage rate,” stated Luke Jeffries, Association Executive, Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® , Inc. Jeffries continued, “In January 2025, the market ended with an inventory of 715 houses for sale, up from 569 houses
Lake Michigan College to Host Women’s Health Roundtable Discussion
Lake Michigan College, through its Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum working group, is hosting a Women’s Health Roundtable discussion at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. This free event is open to the public and will be held in the Main Academic Building, Room L-310/311, on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Avenue. Women make up more than half of the population, yet their specialized health needs are often overlooked. Despite growing attention, health care disparities continue to
Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department to present a rockin’ Spring musical Five performances of “School of Rock: The Musical” planned
Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department to present a rockin’ Spring musicalFive performances of “School of Rock: The Musical” planned BENTON HARBOR, Mich. – The Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents a high-octane stage experience when they bring "School of Rock: The Musical" to the LMC Mendel Center Hanson Theatre on the College’s Benton Harbor Campus. Performances are at 7 p.m. March 28-29 and April 4-5, along with a matinee presentation at 3 p.m. April 6.
Compliance Update - ESTA & Minimum Wage Changes
ESTA & Minimum Wage ChangesAfter months of uncertainty, the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and minimum wage changes are officially in effect. We know this has been a frustrating process for many employers who tried to prepare without clear guidance. The good news is that we finally have the answers we need to move forward confidently. KEY UPDATES Minimum Wage IncreasesNow $12.48/hour (effective immediately)Scheduled increases to $13.73 in 2026 and $15 in 2027, with future adjustments tied to inflation. Tipped
.png)
Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Announces 2025 Business Recognition Award Winners
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Announces Business Recognition Award Winners FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2025 St. Joseph, MI – For a second year in a row, six-hundred (600) of Southwest Michigan’s business leaders gathered Friday morning for the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s Business Recognition Breakfast Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield
Vail Harding Joins Sturgis Bank Community Board
Sturgis Bank is pleased to announce that Vail Harding, President of Vail Rubber Works and St. Joseph resident, has joined their North Berrien County Community Board. Bob Burch, Senior Vice President and Berrien County Community President, said, “Vail is a proven leader who is highly regarded in the twin cities community. He is a welcome addition to the strong team we have built in Berrien County.” Vail has worked for Vail Rubber Works since 1998, serving in a variety of roles before becoming President in
The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience returns to the LMC Mendel Center April 27
A pawtastic cast of four-legged stars will amaze audiences of all ages when The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience returns to the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre in Benton Harbor for one performance at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 27. Chris Perondi is the Stunt Dog GuyTM. He and his famous canine companions deliver a high-energy performance filled with amazing tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs, and athletic feats. The show includes interactive crowd participation. Audience
BREAKING: Earned Sick Time, minimum wage bills on their way to Governor, signature expected
Covering what's hot this week or could affect you and your business. What’s new: Squeaking in under the Feb. 21 deadline, the Michigan Legislature today sent changes to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) (HB 4002) and minimum wage law (SB 8) to the Governor’s desk. The Governor is expected to sign the two bills into law yet tonight. Why it matters: Without legislative action and a signature by the Governor, these sweeping and unworkable laws would have gone into effect as written on Friday, Feb. 21.
.png)
United Way of Southwest Michigan Accepting Funding Requests for the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP
United Way of Southwest Michigan Accepting Funding Requests for the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP/FEMA) ProgramST. JOSEPH, MI (February 17, 2025) – United Way of Southwest Michigan (UWSM) announced today that it is accepting funding proposals from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren County agencies for Phase 42 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP/FEMA). The National Board has awarded Berrien County the grant amount of $58,883 for this phase, Cass County the grant amount of $19,779 for this phase,
.png)
Free Tree Care and Maintenance Workshop Hosted by Present Pillars.
ReLeaf Michigan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to planting and maintaining trees across the state, is offering a free presentation on Basic Tree Care and Maintenance at the Pillar Center on Thursday, March 6th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This educational event, led by Bob Hunt, an ISA Certified Arborist and grounds supervisor at Hope College, will provide valuable insights into proper tree care techniques. As a project forester with ReLeaf Michigan, Bob will share his expertise on how to maintain
Annual Edible Horticulture Event at Fernwood
Fernwood Botanical Garden invites all to enliven their gardens and taste buds at our Edible Horticulture event! Hear from local chefs, farmers, and gardeners influenced and inspired by the community and crops growing in our region. This year's speakers include an organic farmer specializing in homemade sourdough breads, the head chef of a vibrant new Indian restaurant, and the chair of a South Bend vegan food festival. Enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by The Grateful Pie Company and visit our
Midwest Energy & Communications Connects Its 30,000th fiber internet customer and celebrates with a contest
Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) recently achieved a significant milestone by connecting its 30,000th fiber internet customer and effectively eliminating the digital divide for the rural people it serves in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. In 2015, the Michigan-based electric cooperative launched a major fiber optics project to smarten its electric grid and bring fiber internet to its electric customers. “Becoming an internet service provider started because our customers turned to us for help.
Kennedy’s Kitchen Brings Toe-tapping Irish Tunes to the Box Factory on March 8
What better way to get ready for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration than with pub songs, sing-alongs and ripping dance tunes from the Celtic tradition? That’s the fare that will be presented by Kennedy’s Kitchen on Saturday, March 8, 7-9 p.m., at the Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St. Make sure to reserve your seats for this popular Irish-music band from South Bend, IA. Tickets are $25 for cabaret seating in front or $15 general admission if purchased in advance
The Grateful Pie Company at Fernwood to Host Ribbon Cutting
Fernwood Botanical Garden is excited to announce its partnership with The Grateful Pie Company. Previously located inside The Commerce Center on Colfax in South Bend, the eatery now operates from the Fernwood Café. The Grateful Pie Company is open to the public during Fernwood’s operating hours, offering both dine-in and take-out options. The café menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, pot pies, and pizzas. Homemade baked goods are sold in the garden’s gift shop, including fresh pies, loaves of bread,
The Ghostlight Theater 2025 Season OPENS THIS WEEK!!
CLYDE's OPENS THURSDAY! Our Season Premiere!! Click here for tickets NOW! Actor Daniel Rivera (Rafael) prepares the grill in CLYDE'SCLYDE's OPENS THURSDAY! Our Season Premiere!! Click here for tickets NOW! Click the video below to see part of our presentation from last weekend's Michigan Black Summit! CLICK here to get your tickets to CLYDE'S February 13-23rd!!CLICK here to get your tickets to CLYDE'S February 13-23rd!! Join us in a very important Post-Show Discussion on Sunday, February 23rd at 5pm
Governor proposes steep tax hikes on Michigan businesses to fund roads
Covering what's hot this week or could affect you and your business. What’s happening: Today, Governor Whitmer released a proposal to attempt generate $3 billion in new long term road funding revenues. Most significant in the plan is the attempt to raise $1.6 billion in new taxes on Michigan businesses. One of the taxes rumored to be part of the plan is an increase to the state’s Corporate Income Tax (CIT) from the current 6% rate to 8%. Specific details were not made clear, but other sources of revenue
Watermark Brewing Co. Expands with Depths Society Golf in Downtown Stevensville
Watermark Brewing Co. is proud to announce the opening of Depths Society Golf, an indoor golf club now open to the public in Village Square, downtown Stevensville. Located at 2670 W John Beers Rd, Stevensville, MI, the latest addition to the Watermark family offers an immersive, high-end golf experience, bringing cutting-edge technology and a welcoming community atmosphere to Southwest Michigan. Three bays equipped with Trackman iO simulators, Depths Society Golf delivers unmatched accuracy and realism.
Debbie Smidler Named 2025 REALTOR® of the Year by Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors
Debbie Smidler, a licensed REALTOR® with eXp Realty, was named the 2025 REALTOR® of the Year for the Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS at their Annual Recognition Gala held in January. Smidler is a licensed REALTOR® with over 20 years of office management experience and 25 years of customer service experience and holds several professional designations, including Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), At Home with Diversity (AHWD), and Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA)
SWMAR Announces 2024 (ACE) Continuing Education Award Recipients
The Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® Education Committee will acknowledge and celebrate members who continue their education in the complicated field of real estate over and above required courses to better serve homeowners and homebuyers in our community. The new award is named ‘ACE Award’, standing for Achievement in Continuing Education. There were seven REALTORS ® who invested extra time and expenses to further their real estate education and have received the ACE Award for 2024. The
SWMAR Annual Fundraiser Benefits The Berrien County Suicide Prevention Coalition and The REAL Help
The Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® (SWMAR) recently celebrated their sixth annual holiday luncheon and fundraising auction. The REAL Help Foundation was established in 2014 and has been the Association’s charity of choice for this fundraising event since 2023. This program helps families in Southwest Michigan who are in times of crisis and has been a heartfelt priority for REALTORS ® and ancillary service members of the Association. Association members knew there were other charities in
New analysis examines why snow shoveling, paired with sedentary lifestyle, increases heart attack risk in men
Not so fun fact: Shoveling snow for just ten minutes involves lifting and throwing nearly one ton of frozen precipitation, according to a newly published analysis from Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. This finding and others further distinguishes snow shoveling as a significant risk factor for acute cardiac events in sedentary men. Led by Barry Franklin, Ph.D., director (emeritus) of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Preventive Cardiology, the review examines the physiological demands of
Lake Michigan College Mendel Center to host free community concert featuring the U.S. Army Field Ban
Lake Michigan College Mendel Center to host free community concert featuring the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus BENTON HARBOR, MICH. – The internationally acclaimed United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus will continue its long tradition of presenting free public performances when it returns to Southwest Michigan this spring. The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center will host this special community performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the Jenkins Theatre. The Concert Band &
HEART MONTH: New analysis examines why snow shoveling, paired with sedentary lifestyle, increases he
New analysis examines why snow shoveling, paired with sedentary lifestyle, increases heart attack risk in men Royal Oak, Mich., Feb. 10, 2025 – Not so fun fact: Shoveling snow for just ten minutes involves lifting and throwing nearly one ton of frozen precipitation, according to a newly published analysis from Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. This finding and others further distinguishes snow shoveling as a significant risk factor for acute cardiac events in sedentary men. Led by
.png)
DEADLINE EXTENDED! 2025 Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Business Recognition Breakfast
Good Morning, Chamber Community! Due to an influx of requests, we're pleased to announce an extended deadline! You now have until close of business on Friday, February 14th, to secure your tickets for our highly anticipated 2025 Business Recognition Breakfast & Awards Ceremony. The morning promises an exciting lineup: a brand-new keynote from Drew Dudley, insights into our 2024 achievements, and a sneak peek into what's ahead for 2025. Plus, don't forget the live voting for our prestigious
Village of Stevensville Downtown Development Authority Seeking Input For Downtown Development Plan
For Immediate Release Media Contact: Kacey Dominguez, Village Manager Village of Stevensville manager@villageofstevensville.us 269-429-1802 VILLAGE OF STEVENSVILLE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SEEKING INPUT FOR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 9, 2025 Stevensville, Michigan – The Village of Stevensville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is creating a long-term Downtown Development Plan to chart the path for the future of Downtown Stevensville. The DDA will
United Way of Southwest Michigan Celebrates 211 Day, Highlighting a Lifeline for the Community
United Way of Southwest Michigan Celebrates 211 Day, Highlighting a Lifeline for the CommunityST. JOSEPH, MI (February 11, 2025) – Today, February 11th (2/11) is National 211 Day – an annual observance celebrating the go-to, 24/7 three-digit (2-1-1) resource that helps millions of people in the U.S. and Canada – including those in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. The three-digit service connects information about resources and services available in our local community and is free to utilize.Based on
(1).png)
Spring semester Vocal Exhibition performance scheduled for Feb. 23
Spring semester Vocal Exhibition performance scheduled for Feb. 23 BENTON HARBOR, MICH. – Lake Michigan College voice students will be center stage during the Vocal Exhibition presented by the LMC Visual & Performing Arts Department at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23. Enjoy a lively afternoon of classical, jazz, musical theatre, and folk music during this free event. The performance will be held in the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Deckmann Studio on the College’s Benton Harbor campus located at 2755. E.
The GhostLight Theatre’s 2025 season kicks off with Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage
The GhostLight Theatre begins its 2025 Theatre Season with Clyde’s – a play written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, directed by Aaron Reese Boseman (American Son). Clyde’s will mark the start of The GhostLight Theatre’s 6th season, and it will be presented in the GhostLight’s Black Box Theatre space from Thursday, February 13th , through Sunday, February 23rd. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, curtain is at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at 101 Hinkley Street in Benton Harbor. General Admission
SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO CELEBRATE BREEZE AIRWAYS’ INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO FORT MYERS ON FEBR
South Bend, IN. – Breeze Airways’ third nonstop flight from South Bend International Airport (SBN) takes off to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 10:55 a.m. To celebrate, passengers on the inaugural flight will be treated to a gate party including cookies, beach balls, photo opportunities, and more.Media should arrive at 9:45 a.m. at Airport Information to be escorted through security. Airport Information is located near baggage claim. Park in the
Powerhouse Players: LMC Women's Athletics Turns 50
On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, February 5, 2025, Lake Michigan College is proud to spotlight 50 years of women’s athletics at LMC. The day brings attention to the accomplishments of girls and women while promoting equality in sports. The College currently fields five women’s teams - basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball – which are represented by 70 female student-athletes during the 2024-2025 season. The Red Hawks compete as part of the Michigan Community College
Progress remains slow in Senate on earned sick time, minimum wage
What’s happening: With limited session days remaining before Feb. 21 – the day the sweeping new minimum wage and earned sick time (ESTA) changes are slated to take effect – the Michigan Senate has yet to take any action, although conversations are still happening behind-the-scenes. Why it matters: It’s been a week since a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House came together in support of commonsense changes to the onerous ESTA and minimum wage law. The fate of these issues now rests in the Senate’s
St. Joseph, MI Businesses: How to Respond to the CTA, BOI and FinCEN Now
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
