Harbor Shores Development

Background

The Benton Harbor community , like other Midwest areas, saw an exodus of manufacturing employment in the 1980’s. Over one 18 month period, on a tract of land encompassing 600 acres at the intersection between the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, 6 manufacturing concerns closed their doors resulting in a loss of over 5,500 high-wage low-skill jobs.

Despite these challenges one common denominator remained in the community. People knew by working together, they could bring about positive change for the area. In the late 1980’s, a host of community and business leaders commissioned a study to bring about new jobs, new housing and new recreational opportunities to the community.   

New Direction

A long-term comprehensive strategic direction was agreed upon. At the heart of the effort were recommendations to initiate redevelopment in key locations throughout the community, with a special emphasis on the city of Benton Harbor. The study concluded physical change had to begin in the core downtown area of Benton Harbor and then to the neighborhoods, one street, one home at a time. Once the area began to show positive change, the strategy recommended focusing on the approximately 600 acre area to once again serve as the economic hub of the region.

Countless individuals and organizations rallied around this study with the recognition of collective “can do” spirit.  Leaders realized financial resources and volunteerism needed to be channeled through various structures to bring about change within the community. The first being the Community Economic Development Corporation, later know as Cornerstone Alliance, that became the largest per capita privately funded economic development organization in the country.

The Common Denominator

As development opportunities began to take hold, that same common denominator of individuals willing to work together helped bring about new organizations to deal with the capacity building issues in the community. Council for World-Class Communities, Citizen’s for Progressive Change, Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning, and Alliance for World-Class Communities were formed throughout the new millennium. Although, the organizations have uniquely different focuses, they share that same common ingredient of people willing to work together to pool their resources and talents to bring about change for the individuals most in need.

Throughout Cornerstone Alliance’s over 20 years in existence; the only thing that has remained the same is the organization’s dedication to “Building the Community Through Partnerships.” This philosophy also allowed the organization and its many partners to accomplish many goals set forth by the community. Some of the major accomplishments of the organization include:

• The attraction and retention of jobs and millions in investment.
• The demolition of numerous dilapidated properties in many cases new facilities built in the same spot.
• Improvement to the housing stock of the community thanks to projects like HOPE VI, Edgewater Dunes, Woodridge Place, Harbor Town, Morton Hill, as well as others.
• Revitalization of Main Street Benton Harbor.
• Launching of the Benton Harbor Arts District.
• Assistance to area entrepreneurs as they launch their businesses.
• Over 700 active chamber members.
• Creation of a talent recruitment program to assist area companies in getting their First Choice candidates.

Today

Today, one of the most notable physical changes is in the quality of housing opportunities within the City of Benton Harbor, thanks in large part to the efforts of Harbor Habitat for Humanity and the HOPE VI project.

In Benton Harbor and Benton Township, Harbor Habitat for Humanity (HHFH) has partnered with families to build more than 77 decent, simple, safe and affordable homes since its founding in 1995. In the summer of 2005, Benton Harbor was one of two host cities for the Jimmy Carter Work Project, which resulted in the construction of 24 new homes.   

Physical changes are taking place thanks to the HOPE VI project. The grant was awarded in 2004 by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. A project co-developed by Cornerstone Alliance for the Benton Harbor Housing Commission, the HOPE VI federal grant will significantly improve public housing conditions and will bring over 250 new homes to Benton Harbor.

To truly change a community, the foundation must go beyond economic development. It must also incorporate community development initiatives. Examples include:

• Help One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) Mentoring Program is a community partnership with the Benton Harbor Area Schools. Over 400 community volunteers assist over 175 students at three elementary schools. The program results in an average improvement of at least 2.5 grade levels per year, focused on reading and language arts skills. The program has won national recognition for its success.
• The Coming Home Coming Together Concert is a FREE outdoor event held each summer in the City Center area of downtown Benton Harbor. The event brings individuals together from all races, creeds, socio-economic or ethnic backgrounds. Average attendance is estimated at 1,300 people. The concert continues to be the largest event held in the downtown area each summer.   
• A focus on Diversity Initiatives has been underway for over 7 years now. Programs such as Community Wide Diversity Training, Calling All Colors and the Bridges to Digital Excellence Program are just a sampling of the programs offered through the Council for World-Class Communities.
• In 2003, sparked by a single event in Benton Harbor, over 1,000 residents formed an organization known as Citizens for Progressive Change, believing that the voice of local residents must be heard.  The vision of the organization is to engage citizens in resolving economic, social and human service issues in order to improve the quality of life in Benton Harbor.    
• A portion of the HOPE VI grant supports community development and allows adults to take the necessary steps to acquire the skills needed to become more self-sufficient members of the community. A very comprehensive Community Supportive Services plan has been developed and is being implemented by BHHC staff and partners to assist many of our residents in becoming self-sufficient.
• The Benton Harbor area has long been known for its dedicated citizens. These citizens are working to assure their community is the best it can be. Many of these individuals participate in or lead Neighborhood Block Clubs, which work to keep the neighborhoods connected, safe and clean.
• Thanks to funds raised throughout the community and a federal grant, a community policing initiative was launched in 2004. A portion of the grant is dedicated to officers working right in the public school system each day. The police officers assigned to the schools spend 75 % of their time working in and around the schools, and their remaining time working on problem-solving projects with the neighborhood block clubs.

It is truly an exciting time as the foundation has been laid for community transformation. A once in a lifetime development opportunity, called Harbor Shores, is about to launch, and additional plans are being put into action to create change.  Now, all that needs to happen is for each resident to take advantage of the opportunities being placed before them.