Business

Anybody who knows restaurateur Ken Kozminski knows that he cannot and will not sit still for very long, unless he’s in a hunting blind. The rest of the time he is a perpetual motion machine, and he’s always thinking ahead to the next great thing in his life. As owner and operator of The Buck Burgers & Brew in downtown St. Joseph, Ken was contemplating an interesting winter project when the pace is a big more relaxed at his popular establishment. Most in the crowd will concur that he’s struck gold with the idea he has generated.... ...Read Full Story

The men and women who keep the wheels of commerce turning all across the region gathered this morning to get some insight on Governor Rick Snyders goals going forward and to recognize some super stars within their midst through the combined efforts of Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstone Alliance in Benton Harbor.... ...Read Full Story

While it was a morning of celebration in the business community of Michigan’s Great Southwest this morning, Governor Rick Snyder says that even though the state of Michigan has made great strides toward returning to a Top 10 State, and there are many things that have allowed us to stage a great comeback, “Now is not the time to celebrate (those gains). It’s time to appreciate it and understand how far we’ve come, but now is the time to say on the gas.”... ...Read Full Story

What if the perimeter of the Orchards Mall building were planted with trees, flowers and substantial green space separating the entry to stores from the parking lot with an inviting view? What if the mall itself were de-centralized to open the main corridor to outside entrances for each store and the periphery of the center were to feature unique multi-family housing, park space, water features and other amenities making the entire district more modern, open and appealing? What if a music amphitheater were built along Pipestone Road and connected by an aerial walkway to the Pipestone Plaza complex which would be converted into a restaurant and entertainment district with green pathways and more?... ...Read Full Story

Reaction is pouring in from multiple people and organizations following Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget release today. Here’s a sampling for you from some of those who have spoken out:... ...Read Full Story

Two words continue to sum up Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s approach to the state budget: Fiscal Responsibility. The Governor unveiled his recommendation for the fiscal year 2018 budget today and the focus continues the precedent that has been set for fiscal responsibility and responsible investment over the past six years. The budget plan continues paving the path to a more prosperous future with key investments in economic development, talent development, infrastructure, education, and stronger, safer communities.... ...Read Full Story

Robert and Tawn Montgomery are likely exhausted, but it’s one of those great moments when your body doesn’t care because the adrenaline rush is exhilarating at the same time. The St. Joe couple lifts the veil on a project that has been underway for more than a year and a half now wherein they literally raised the roof and created The Terrace at 221, high atop their already highly successful 221 Main – Restaurant & Cocktail House at 221 Main Street in St. Joseph.... ...Read Full Story

Lakeland Health has shifted some real estate around in order to gain higher visibility and easier access for two of its affiliate entities which have relocated to new quarters in the heart of the Southtown St. Joseph neighborhood just blocks from the Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph. ... ...Read Full Story

There’s little doubt that the most critical skill you can bring to your own business is at least some rudimentary understanding of the world of accounting. With that in mind, the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance will hold the first of three QuickBooks Basics workshop series classes on Thursday, March 2, 2017 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the South Have Campus of Lake Michigan College. The campus is located at 125 Veterans Boulevard in South Haven.... ...Read Full Story

While our unseasonably warm temperatures provide a nice break from Michigan’s long winter season, inevitably they also offer another break that’s not so nice. Our little winter respite may relieve the cabin fever, but it is also prime pothole birthing season as a result.... ...Read Full Story

For the fifth consecutive year, generous travelers and community members have delivered an outstanding return on the Bears in the Air Program at South Bend International Airport and the resulting impact will be delivered to the Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran’s Center tomorrow morning. ... ...Read Full Story

The Dairy Korner in St. Joseph has been making kids of all ages smile for more than 60-years and when the “for sale” sign went up at the end of last season, there were fears that those smiles would fade and the end might be close at hand. Despite the dramatic makeover and fresh new look for the iconic ice cream store and diner, some were afraid that a potential buyer might find the land more valuable than the building.... ...Read Full Story

One of the most vocal groups in Michigan arguing against state income tax cuts is pointing to a couple of new reports as back up support for their arguments against any such plan. The Michigan League for Public Policy continues to lead the charge against tax cuts, citing the two new national reports.... ...Read Full Story

Five years after first introducing the measure, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow has announced she is re-introducing legislation to encourage businesses to bring jobs to America and discourage companies from shipping jobs overseas. She calls if the Bring Jobs Home Act of 2017.... ...Read Full Story

Anybody who has ever found themselves working feverishly on a deadline can directly relate to the stupid little spinning clock hand or the more ancient hour-glass slowly losing sand on their computer screen and how maddening that can be. Multiply that frustration dramatically for businesses trying to dispatch lengthy documents or manufacturers working to send detailed blueprints, high resolution photos or other information critical to day to day business. Those are just some of the people State Representative Beth Griffin hopes to find solutions for by introducing legislation to promote investment in broadband equipment to help advance Internet speeds.... ...Read Full Story

One of the most successful and prolific independent businesswomen in modern local history in Michigan’s Great Southwest has added to her resume by rising to the chairmanship of the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit association serving more than 14,300 corporate members of the $20.8-billion promotional products industry. ... ...Read Full Story

The manufacturing community in Michigan’s Great Southwest garnered further validation of its recent growth and the power it brings to the region when the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago released its Midwest Economy Index for December last week. The report shows that not only did the manufacturing sector lead the way, it vaulted Michigan ahead of all other states in the Great Lakes region.... ...Read Full Story

There’s a new king of the digital empire at Horizon Bank, and he’s been promoted from within. Kathie DeRuiter, Executive Vice President & Senior Operations Officer at Horizon says Scott Kosik has been promoted to Vice President and Senior Digital Banking Officer effective immediately.... ...Read Full Story

The Amicarelli family name has been synonymous with outstanding pizza, pasta and other Italian offerings in Michigan’s Great Southwest and Northwest Indiana for decades. Their Roma Pizza brand has been a staple in cities from St. Joseph to Michigan City for as long as most people can remember.... ...Read Full Story

Barry Conybeare’s star continues to rise in the legal universe. Last fall his firm was named to the U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms in the nation…and now he personally has been tabbed as the 2017 Lawyer of the Year in Southwest Michigan by Best Lawyers.... ...Read Full Story

With an increasing number of its customers electing online services rather than brick and mortar branches, Fifth Third Bank says 36 more branch banks were closed last month…seven of them here in Michigan…and more may face the ax going forward.... ...Read Full Story

Granted, they may not be top-flight executive level careers, but Dollar General reports today that they expect to create approximately 420 new jobs throughout Michigan in 2017 as part of the company’s new store growth plan, a plan that will be its most aggressive ever. The creation of these new jobs will be part of Dollar General’s overall 2017 fiscal year growth plan in which the major discount retailer plans to add 1,000 stores and create approximately 10,000 new jobs in the states it serves.... ...Read Full Story

Last year on the final football Sunday of the NFL season, Ann Arbor-based Domino’s Pizza sold enough pizzas to stretch across more than 4,400 football fields. This year, the stand ready to set a whole new record by introducing the nation to online ordering through Facebook Messenger.... ...Read Full Story

You have to wonder how much good could be accomplished if some of the thieves among us used their criminal skills to do what’s right instead of always trying to rip other people off.... ...Read Full Story

Anybody who has searched for a summertime parking space in recent years downtown recognizes that Michigan’s Great Southwest has become a highly regarded destination attraction in Pure Michigan. With an ever increasing scrutiny on the quality of customer service, and the ongoing need for entirely new contingents of hospitality industry workers, the change agents at Kinexus are teaming up with Lake Michigan College to host a full-on Hospitality Job Fair & Talent Showcase next month.... ...Read Full Story

The Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff isn’t the 5th finest art fair in the nation by pure happenstance. The work that goes into the great event which has been going on for more than half a century is nothing short of remarkable in every regard. In fact…despite the fact that only about 200 artists will make the cut, more than 930 world-class artists have applied for the privilege. The field will be narrowed later this month.... ...Read Full Story

There are 17,000 liquor licensees in the state of Michigan and the Chairman of the Liquor Control Commission is urging them all to celebrate this weekend’s big game responsibly while serving patrons. Knowing that football fans everywhere gravitate towards their favorite watering holes, the commission is calling for cool heads to prevail.... ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph businessman Jack Kelly of Jack Kelly & Associates has shared this article about the success of Great Lakes Antique Mall owner Dave Walker, which Kelly crafted for publication in the Auction Exchange & Collectors News, a companion publication to Antique Week. ... ...Read Full Story

The capital campaign for the new Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion currently under construction in St. Joseph gained a huge boost today with nearly a quarter-million dollars thanks to the Frederick S. Upton Foundation.... ...Read Full Story

There are decided benefits to doing business in Michigan, and nobody wants you to know that more that Governor Rick Snyder. The Governor will take the opportunity to share those advantages with business leaders from across Michigan’s Great Southwest next week when he keynotes the Business Recognition Breakfast for Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstone Alliance.... ...Read Full Story