Cornerstone Alliance has been awarded a $3.6 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to prepare a site in Benton Township for economic development.
Cornerstone President Rob Cleveland tells us the Site Readiness Program funds will specifically be used for 285 acres of farmland at 2274 Yore Avenue.
“For generations, that site has been used as farm land, it’s still used as farmland, and we anticipate it being used for industrial purposes in the future,” Cleveland said. “The site is actually zoned for industrial uses, and Benton Charter Township has been supportive of industrial development at that site.”
Cleveland says with the completion of US-31’s connection to I-94, the site is perfect for industrial development. In fact, he’s had developers inquire about that exact property.
“The site that we’ve received the grant money for is by far the most requested site that we have in our arsenal here in Berrien County. We get more visits, more inquiries about that site than any other site in our community, by far.”
Cleveland says the $3.6 million will be used to improve infrastructure at the property, meaning things like drainage and the road.
The land is owned by Fred Leitz and Cornerstone has been working with him to prepare it for a new development.
Cleveland expects infrastructure work to start there this year.
