Cornerstone Alliance and its partners have celebrated the addition of free public Wi-Fi to downtown Benton Harbor and the continued operation of a water taxi between Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday at the new Riverview Drive dock used by the water taxi. Cornerstone’s Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council is helping fund the water taxi next year.
“We’ve had a very successful first year,” Cleveland said. “We’ve learned some things. We’re going to make it better, we’re going to communicate about it better, and then in 2023, people are going to be able to use it again and we’ll see what we can build upon.”
Cleveland also said more public Wi-Fi spots will be added at community gathering spots around Benton Harbor in the near future. Congressman Fred Upton was able to secure a $200,000 earmark for the Wi-Fi expansion after the service was launched in the Arts District in May. Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad says the developments are good for residents.
“It’s a long time coming,” Muhammad said. “There’s a lot of people who have sacrificed to see Benton Harbor moving in the direction that it is in, and I’m just happy to be the custodian at this time to see it through.”
Cleveland said the two initiatives — the Wi-Fi and the water taxi — are about connectivity. Mayor Muhammad said Tuesday’s announcement was another example of opportunity for residents and the business community.
Video:
