News

Greater Bridgman Area Chamber & Growth Alliance Welcomes Ace Hardware to Lake Charter Township

The Greater Bridgman Chamber & Growth Alliance (BCGA) is pleased to announce that Ace Hardware will soon open a new location in the Greater Bridgman area. The store will be in Lake Charter Township at the corner of Shawnee and Gast Roads, occupying the former Rite Aid building in the same shopping center as Harding’s Family Friendly Market.   The CGA began collaborating with the building’s owner shortly after the property became vacant, actively identifying potential tenants who would bring value to the

HARBOR WOODS TOWNHOMES ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL OPENING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Media Contact: Elizabeth Meeth Rip Current Creative (217) 553-7315 elizabeth.meeth@gmail.com elizabeth@ripcurrentcreative.com  HARBOR WOODS TOWNHOMES ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL OPENING First Luxury Units Available in January  BENTON HARBOR/ST. JOSEPH— Harbor Woods Townhomes, southwest Michigan’s newest luxury rental community, is officially opening its doors to the public with first-move-in availability beginning January 1, followed by additional townhome units becoming available

Honor Credit Union Pays It Forward for Giving Tuesday

Honor Credit Union Pays It Forward for Giving Tuesday BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 2, 2025 – In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, Honor Credit Union is once again living out its mission to give back to its members and the communities it serves. As part of Honor’s annual tradition, each of the credit union’s 484 team members receives $50 to pay it forward, empowering them to support local causes and create meaningful moments of generosity across Michigan. In total, the initiative reflects $24,200

BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP SET TO BREAK GROUND ON EUCLID AVENUE PARK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Media Contact: Marcy Hamilton Senior Planner/Deputy Executive Director Southwest Michigan Planning Commission 269-925-1137 x1525 hamiltonm@swmpc.org  BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP SET TO BREAK GROUND ON EUCLID AVENUE PARK Join us December 4th to celebrate   Benton Heights, MI — Benton Charter Township is proud to announce the groundbreaking of the Euclid Avenue Park on December 4th at 2:00pm, a new 10-acre community park that will provide residents of Benton Heights with

2025 SWMI & National October Housing Market dropped 5% in Sales from a Year Ago

“At the beginning of the fall selling season, sales only dropped 5 percent from the end of September (289 vs. 304). Selling prices continued to climb year-over-year in October for the last 6 years,” stated Luke Jeffries, Association Executive, Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS ® , Inc. Jeffries continued, “The number of houses sold in October increased 8 percent (21 houses) from October 2024 (289 vs. 268). Year-to-date, sales have increased 4 percent (2456 vs. 2366).” The inventory of houses

City of Buchanan Announces Ribbon Cutting for Downtown Infrastructure and Placemaking Project

Regional Chamber Honors and Celebrates the 2025 HYPE Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jasmine Hansen Events Director jhansen@smrchamber.com 269-932-4605 Regional Chamber Honors and Celebrates the 2025 HYPE Winners November 20, 2025   Stevensville, MI – Southwest Michigan’s brightest entrepreneurial talent gathered at the Watermark Solarium last night for the second annual HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber in partnership with the Emerge Innovation Hub, this dynamic event

Lake Michigan College Career Center Honored with Prestigious 2025 Handshake Career Spark Award

Lake Michigan College has been recognized with a 2025 Handshake Career Spark Award, placing the institution among the top 2% of career centers nationwide. The award celebrates excellence in student engagement, employer engagement, and reporting and analytics.Out of more than 1,500 educational institutions using Handshake, only 40 career centers received this distinguished honor. Lake Michigan College was selected as one of ten winners in its school category, demonstrating the career center's exceptional

East Campground Bathhouse Renovation Completed at Weko Beach & Campground

EAST CAMPGROUND BATHHOUSE RENOVATION COMPLETED AT WEKO BEACH & CAMPGROUND Funded by the MDNR Recreation Passport grant program November 6, 2025   Bridgman, Michigan – The City of Bridgman is pleased to announce the completion of the East Campground Bathhouse Renovation Project at Weko Beach & Campground. This exciting improvement enhances visitor comfort and supports continued excellence in the campground’s amenities.   The project was made possible through grant funding from the Michigan Department

United Way of Southwest Michigan Supports SMCAA’s “Stuff a Truck” 2025 to Help Food Insecurity

 United Way of Southwest Michigan is coming together with the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA) to support their annual “Stuff a Truck” Food Drive with 99.9 Y Country and News Talk Sports 94.9 WSJM.   The event takes place this week, November 17-21 from 6am-6pm and Saturday, November 22 from 10am-Noon at Roger’s Foodland in St. Joseph. The event is now in its 29th year raising funds, food, and personal care items for the SMCAA with the need continually rising each year.   “One of our

Regional Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition Fuels Dreams for Young Entrepreneurs

For Immediate Release  Media Contact: Arthur Havlicek President & CEO info@smrchamber.com 269-932-4042 Regional Chamber’s HYPE Pitch Competition Fuels Dreams for Young Entrepreneurs November 21, 2024   Stevensville, MI – Southwest Michigan’s brightest entrepreneurial talent gathered at the Watermark Solarium last night for the debut of HYPE – Highlighting Young Professional Excellence. Hosted by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber in partnership with the Emerge Innovation Hub, this dynamic