BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) awarded a total of $3.3 million to 31 Michigan counties. Among those communities that will receive funding include the cities of Benton Harbor, Sturgis, and Three Rivers.

The grants are part of the Site Readiness Improvement Program, which aims at increasing the number of properties within the state that will be ready to compete for new businesses.

Michigan State Senator Kim LaSata said in a press release that the competitive grants “will go a long way toward making our communities that much more of an attractive place to do business.”

Cornerstone Alliance, an organization in Benton Harbor that creates employment opportunities, was awarded $81,000, which will go toward building a retention pond and required infrastructure and clear brush and trees at its entrance to add more curb appeal.

• The City of Sturgis, in St. Joseph County, was awarded $50,800 for environmental and infrastructure engineering assessments at the Stapleton Industrial Park.
• The City of Three Rivers, in St. Joseph County, was awarded $100,000 for a mainline fiber extension and connection at Enterprise Industrial Park.
• The Village of Colon, in St. Joseph County, will receive $79,400 to conduct an environmental study, asbestos survey, building code review, structural analysis, ALTA survey, and an infrastructure analysis at the Lamb Knit mill.

The MEDC’s “site readiness” initiative establishes appropriate planning and zoning, boundary surveys, proper soil and environmental conditions, and more.

For more information, visit the website for MEDC.