Our team is passionate about creating jobs and cultivating a strong economy. We’re economic developers – also known as problem solvers, change agents, people connectors, business advocates and leadership developers. Our experience in working with companies of all sizes – from Fortune 500 companies to eight-person tool-and-die shops to food processing operations to large business service centers – has proven invaluable time and time again. Our commitment is to growing companies, just like yours, because we believe you are the future.
Maximize your potential by taking advantage of our resources that can grow your business.
It has never been more important to build relationships with potential suppliers, partners or collaborators. We can help you gain access to the people and companies that can build your business.
Preparing the workforce of the future is a top priority of all organizations. Through skill gap analyses, leadership development and educational partnerships, we can work with you to your team for greatness.
Gaining access to capital – whether traditional, equity, angel, microloan or government funding – can be daunting. Our relationships and guidance can help you get the resources you need to succeed.
Whether you need a site to build a new facility or a short-term solution, we can help you analyze all of your choices and maximize your investment. For start-up companies, incubators and virtual spaces are considerations too.
Our networks can help you complement your existing staff. Our expertise and relationships with service providers with proven track records can bring you success in the areas of talent, legal, business strategy, tech transfer, marketing, sales and technology validation.
We encourage collaboration to increase the positive impact of government on jobs creation.
St. Joseph County is located is Southwest Michigan and is adjacent to Indiana. The county is 521 square miles and contains more navigable waterways than any other county in Michigan. Two main highways run through the county: US12 and US131. The county is centrally located between Chicago and Detroit.
For more information on St. Joseph County, visit their website.May 1, 2019 - July 31, 2019 Activities Focused in St. Joseph County. Highlights of economic development efforts during May-July 2019 include assisting companies with talent and workforce development through special programs and events, responding to attraction project Proposal Requests and applying for industrial site readiness grant funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
View ReportDuring 2012-201 6, 1,829 direct new jobs have been announced by 67 projects that invested over $197 million in St. Joseph County. Of the total projects, 84% were in the manufacturing sector, 10% in the food/ag/forestry sector, and 6% in distribution/logistics.
View Full ReportA variety of incentives are available to eligible businesses: Border County Incentives, Brownfield Redevelopment, Foreign Trade Zones, Industrial Property Tax Abatement, Michigan Business Development Program, Michigan Collateral Support Program, Michigan Loan Participation Program, Michigan Works!, SBA Certified Development Company Loans, SBA Programs, Utility and Energy-saving Programs. For details and fact sheets on these incentives, visit the Southwest Michigan First website.
INCENTIVES DETAILSEmployer Resource Networks are private-public consortia whose purpose is improved workforce retention through employee support and training.
The EDGE currently contracts Southwest Michigan First for services and resources relating to economic growth and development in St. Joseph County. Select from the resources below to view statistical information on their website.