Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Steet, P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
269.925.6100
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Lifestyle Data

We are …into the business of life.

As you explore, Michigan's Great Southwest as a potential location for your business you will quickly find that not only are we are great place to do business, we are also a great place to live. Following is information on lifestyle data that may be helpful as you explore our community.

To learn more about why our community is the right place for your business to located, take a look at our Community Resume. (591 KB) Small PDF Icon

Climate
Michigan's Great Southwest enjoys four distinct seasons. The average Familyminimum temperature in July is 61°, maximum 82°, while the average minimum temperature in January is 18°, maximum 32°. Average annual rainfall is 37 inches, average annual snowfall is 70 inches. The average lake temperature is between 70° and 80° in the summer and near freezing in the winter months. The agribusiness in our area enjoys 162 days of growing season.

Crime
Berrien County offers a safe and proactive environment to its residents thanks to a strong state and local police presence. The crime rate in our community is below the national average and additionally is comparable to the 15 communities we benchmark ourselves against each year.

Faith
Michigan's Great Southwest is comprised of very strong faith communities. Each city and town offers a variety of religious opportunities for its residents whether it is Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, Jewish, Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah Witness, Lutheran, or a Non-Denomitional atmosphere. The faith you are searching for can be found in our community. Many of these religions are also very willing to work together on projects such as Bible Schools for children, retreats for adults, prayer services, and in other capacities depending upon the faith.

Improving the Community
The Michigan's Great Southwest community is working our way to many successes. Our area does an excellent job of working together to improve the quality of life for all residents throughout the entire community.  To learn more, click here. (1,453 KB) Small PDF Icon

Housing
With a landscape that begins at the lakeshore, travels through park-like neighborhoods and reaches into serene wooded areas, Michigan's Great Southwest provides a rare quality of life for its residents. Quality that's echoed in a complete and exciting array of housing choices.

You can match your neighborhood to your lifestyle as well-enjoy the privacy of a gated community, the freedom of a condominium, the intimacy of a family neighborhood, or the convenience of apartment living. Whether you're looking for the charm of a Victorian home, the flair of modern construction, or the solitude of a log cabin, our region has a home in line with your lifestyle.

Michigan's Great Southwest, thanks to the wonderful natural amenities we enjoy, is experiencing exceptional growth. With this growth comes a correspondingly high demand for both new and existing homes. In this hot real estate market, houses in some parts of our region will sell within days of going on the market. To learn more about housing in our area, visit the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors web site.

Rental Information
The average rent paid for an unfurnished, two-bedroom apartment in the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area is $566 a month. There are over 19 multi-unit apartment complexes available in the immediate area, in addition to a large supply of homes that have been renovated into apartments. For a more detailed look at rental options in the community, visit the My New Rental web site.  

Health Care
In addition to an abundance of recreational, educational, and economic opportunities, Michigan's Great Southwest offers outstanding health care through a quality network of hospitals, clinics, and private medical practitioners.

Lakeland HealthCare Lakeland
Lakeland HealthCare is a not-for-profit organization that works with 300 primary and specialty-care physicians. The 665-bed regional health system has three hospitals, in St. Joseph, Berrien Springs, and Niles; two long-term care facilities; the Center for Outpatient Services; walk-in clinics; home care; and laboratory, radiology, and rehabilitation services.

Outpatient Services. Sports medicine and physical, occupational, and speech therapy are available, as well as women's services, substance abuse treatment, outpatient dialysis, homecare and home infusion services, pharmacy, X-ray/diagnosis and laboratory services, and primary and specialty care at four walk-in clinics.

Employer services. The Lakeland HealthCare Employer Services division acts as a liaison with business and industry. Whatever a business needs in terms of health care information, service, or support, Employer Services is available to work with the business to meet those needs.

Investments in the Future. Lakeland is adding a 9,686 square-foot imaging center at the Center for Outpatient Services; is constructing a 121,000 square-foot Inpatient Addition at Lakeland Hospital  (St. Joseph); doubled the size of the Emergency Department; and created 15 private prep rooms for the Surgery Department at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

Community Hospital, an affiliate of Borgress Health
Community Hospital in Watervliet, MI provides a 24-hour, physician-staffed emergency department and an after hours walk-in clinic. Premier medical inpatient and outpatient services include laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social services, one-day surgery and specialty clinic.

Local Media
There are a number of local daily and weekly papers available.

  Name Distribution
  Niles Daily Star Daily
  Herald-Palladium Daily
  South Bend Tribune Daily
  Berrien County Record Weekly
  Harbor Country News Weekly
  Benton Spirit Weekly
  Watervliet Tri-City Record Weekly

Radio Stations
Our region is fortunate to have radio stations as diverse in their format and programming as any in the country, including National Public Radio, classical, and your usual hodgepodge of pop, country, religious, sports, student stations, oldies, and much, much more!

Be sure to check out the more detailed information regarding The Radio Stations of Michigan's Great Southwest at their website.  Their family of seven area stations are among the most-listened to on the local airwaves.

TV Stations
Our area does not offer a local TV station however is within close proximity to both the South Bend, Indiana, Grand Rapids  and Kalamazoo, Michigan markets, below are a list of stations that often cover the community.

ABC
WBND-69 (South Bend)
WOTV-41 (Battle Creek)

CBS
WSBT-22 (South Bend)
WWMT-3 (Kalamazoo)

NBC
WNDU-16 (South Bend)
WOOD-8 (Grand Rapids)

FOX
WSJV-28 (Elkhart)
WXMI-17 (Grand Rapids)

PBS
WGVU-35 (Grand Rapids)
WNIT-34 (Elkhart)