The decision this week by the federal Office of Management and Budget to halt a proposed change to the definition of a Metropolitan Statistical Area is being welcomed by the Berrien County Board of Commissioners. Speaking during this week’s meeting, Commissioner Bob Harrison said the numbers used by the government to define an MSA do matter to communities.
“Years and years ago, I was a regional health planner, and the reliance on those types of governmental designations was really critical in formulating, in my case, health policy but also in respect to money that comes to the region from both the state and federal government,” Harrison said.
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners will consider a plan to return to in-person meetings starting July 1. During a meeting this Thursday, Community
May 27, 2021
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners will consider a plan to return to in-person meetings starting July 1. During a meeting this Thursday, Community Development Director Dan Fette told commissioners a review of current state capacity restrictions shows the county board could not allow more than a few people into the room if it met in person now.
“In addition to that, members of the public coming into this room would have to demonstrate proof of vaccination if they want to be in here without their mask on,” Fette said. “That will require us to essentially examine vaccine cards, put up public notices, posters, signage, all of the things we have to do right now as it relates to masks.”
The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has signed off on a Brownfield plan for Whirlpool's tech center renovations in St. Joseph. During a Thursday meeting,
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Whirlpool is exploring a multiyear, $50 million project to renovate or rebuild its technology center in southwest Michigan.
The Benton Harbor-based global appliance maker Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) proposed options to rebuild or renovate its global technology center in St. Joseph, near the company’s global and North American headquarters in Benton Harbor, according to the southwest Michigan economic development agency Cornerstone Alliance on Thursday.
Proposals for new construction at the existing St. Joseph site include a possible 150,000 square feet of new construction with an investment of about $50 million. The new facility would replace much or all of the existing St. Joseph Technology Center, parts of which are more than 100 years old.