New Business Attraction
There are many reasons to run a business, raise a family and retire in Berrien County. But the backbone of why this is a great place to live and work is because we are in Michigan. Our state’s business climate is stronger than ever and is ranked nationally as a Top-10 Pro-Business State.
- No Personal Property Tax on Machinery & Equipment
- No Inventory Tax
- A cost of living that is nearly 10% below the national average and ranks us as the fourth most affordable state in the country
- A diverse workforce that includes one of the highest concentrations of engineers in the U.S. as well as having a skilled trades workforce that ranks in the top 10 nationally
- Easy accessibility to markets. Michigan is within 500 miles of nearly half of the U.S. and Canadian populations and commerce centers
- A competitive tax environment. The Tax Foundation 2022 Tax Climate Index ranks Michigan 12th in the country. Michigan has no personal property tax on machinery and equipment, no inventory tax; a 6% corporate income tax rate; 4.25% personal (flat) income tax (the lowest in the Midwest); and a 6% sales tax (and no local sales tax)
- A culture that encourages innovation, imagination and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Enjoy an enviable abundance of fresh water and natural resources that attract people from around the world and entice residents to make time to play
The Cornerstone Alliance Business Development Team is delighted to work with you to help your business succeed, grow and more in Michigan’s Great Southwest. We will identify and work to secure appropriate available local, state and other potential incentives which may be available and relevant to your project. For information specific to your project, please contact us!
Did you know that The First Choice Program at Cornerstone Alliance is a powerful tool that helps Berrien County businesses attract new talent to Michigan’s Great Southwest? When candidates from outside of the region are interviewing here, their focus is typically on preparing for the interview, and they have little or no time to explore the community. Further, if they were to look on their own, chances are they wouldn’t really know where to go, or the best way to get there.
The First Choice Program showcases the community to those candidates interviewing with Berrien County businesses, giving them a more in-depth look at what the community has to offer. The First Choice Ambassadors, many of whom have relocated to Michigan’s Great Southwest provide a customized tour of the area to these candidates, their families, showing them neighborhoods, business districts, and other areas of interest.
“The First Choice Program is an added bonus to businesses looking to make offers to qualified candidates living outside of the region,” said Cornerstone Alliance President, Rob Cleveland. “Berrien County companies are finding the First Choice Program to be a solid resource in the interviewing process because it allows these individuals (and their families) to fully understand what is offered outside of a new job, including schools, housing, church/worship and more. These are significant factors when people are making a decision to relocate.”
To learn more about how the First Choice Program can partner with your business to attract workforce talent to Michigan’s Great Southwest, contact Missy Holden.