Volunteers working hard to clean up Benton Harbor

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- About 200 volunteers worked with chain saws and weed whackers to help clean up Benton Harbor on Monday.



Business owners say cleaning up the city is the only way to attract money and new businesses.

"I'm appalled at the way our city looks. If we want to attract more businesses, we have to make our city more attractive than what it is," said former Benton Harbor Commissioner Bryan Joseph.



Residents joined in and crews tackled problem areas.



"Maybe a house burned down or maybe there's a lot where people have been dumping, we are identifying those place," said business owner Bryan Tutton.



The goal is for residents to have fewer shut-off notices and violation signs in their yards.



Tutton says Benton Harbor is a hidden gem with a lot of potential



"Benton Harbor has a lot of qualities. We just have to show people what those qualities are," said Tutton.



People who helped organize this event say this is just the beginning. It will take consistency to turn this city around.