Cornerstone Alliance
38 W. Wall Steet, P.O. Box 428
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-0428
269.925.6100
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Whirlpool Corporation announces large project

Cornerstone Alliance is pleased to share information on another community milestone reached in the summer of 2010. This milestone comes in the form of a business retention project that we have been working in partnership with several local governments and state organizations for some time now.

At a news conference held at 9:00 a.m. today, Whirlpool Corporation announced plans to build a new office location as part of a consolidation of its 15 owned and leased facilities to three centralized office campuses. The first phase of the project is projected to be a $20 million dollar investment.

The three campuses will include the Administrative Center campus, the St. Joe Tech Center campus, and a new campus to be located on Main St. between River St. and Riverview Dr., in downtown Benton Harbor. The new campus will be comprised of three new, three-story buildings, with a total of approximately 270,000 square feet. In addition to these three campuses, the company also plans to retain its Hilltop South offices located at 150 Hilltop Road in St. Joseph. Plans also call for significant renovations to the Administrative Center campus located in Benton Charter Township. These changes are contingent upon state and local incentives.

“We are pleased to announce plans for our new office complex in downtown Benton Harbor. We have increased our employment significantly during the past 10 years, and today have more than 4,000 in our Benton Harbor and St. Joseph facilities. We have simply outgrown our current space. This is an economical time to be making this investment in new construction. Thanks to collaboration with, and support of, our state and four local government bodies we will further strengthen our commitment to the Benton Harbor – St. Joseph communities,” said Jeff M. Fettig, chairman and chief executive officer, Whirlpool Corporation.

The changes – expected to take approximately five years to complete – strengthen the company’s commitment to the Benton Harbor – St. Joseph area and the State of Michigan. Preparation for the new office buildings is expected to begin within the next several weeks, pending certain approvals.

Cornerstone Alliance President Wendy Dant Chesser said, "Our community is grateful to have Jeff Fettig serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Whirlpool Corporation. His passion for this area follows the commitments of his predecessor, David Whitwam, and a long line of Whirlpool leaders. This announcement is truly monumental as it further solidifies Whirlpool Corporation's commitment and loyalty to the Michigan's Great Southwest community," added Chesser. “We appreciate the efforts of so many to make this possible, including representatives of the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Benton Charter Township, Berrien County and the State of Michigan.”

The staff of Cornerstone Alliance has served Whirlpool Corporation in the development of this project in a variety of ways, including identifying, negotiating and securing real estate needed for the project, initiating and overseeing site evaluation and testing, working with local and state officials on behalf of the project as well as other forms of assistance throughout the process. All of which will result in a five year project that will change downtown Benton Harbor and all of Michigan's Great Southwest for years to come.