Cornerstone Alliance

What Cornerstone Alliance does

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, serving Berrien County and the broader Michigan's Great Southwest region. Founded in 1989, the organization delivers customer-focused economic development solutions through four primary pillars: Business Development (business retention & expansion, new business attraction, site selection, talent recruiting, incentives facilitation, and access to capital), Community Development (downtown revitalization, placemaking, civic infrastructure such as the Canal Commons waterfront and a public Wi-Fi network), Housing Resource Development (housing needs assessments, zoning reform support, and developer coordination—including a September 2025 countywide study identifying a need for 6,300+ units), and Entrepreneur Support through the Women's Business Center and ELEVATE/OWN IT programming. Customers served include primary employers (e.g., Whirlpool, Special-Lite, Vail Rubber Works), small businesses, women and minority entrepreneurs, municipalities across Berrien County, and housing/commercial/industrial developers.

The organization is not a technology company and uses only third-party data analytics for housing studies and market research. Its economic activity is service- and program-based: it operates signature events (Annual Meeting, Developer Day, ELEVATE, Economic Summit), educational programming (Cornerstone Development Academy, Rural Readiness Program, Manufacturing & HR Roundtables), a workforce-attraction program (First Choice), and a Business Plan Certified curriculum.

Cornerstone Alliance is funded through private-sector investor memberships, government grants (MEDC, MDARD, HUD), and partnership/sponsorship revenue (e.g., 1st Source Bank, Whirlpool Foundation). Services are provided free of charge to businesses and municipalities. The 11-50 person professional team is led by President & CEO Marla Schneider (appointed November 2024) alongside EVP Christina Frank (CEcD), SVP Andrew Haan (CEcD), and a Board chaired by Pam Klyn (Whirlpool Foundation). During Rob Cleveland's prior tenure (2015-2024), the organization supported the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs and more than $215 million in new investment across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.

Name

Cornerstone Alliance

Legal name

Cornerstone Alliance

Website

https://cstonealliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, delivering business retention, attraction, housing, and entrepreneur support services across Berrien County and Michigan's Great Southwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Business Associations (81391), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Employer-Led Workforce Partnerships & Sector Strategies (EDAAAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business attraction services
• Community development programs
• Entrepreneur support services
• Housing resource development

Headquarters

HQ city

Benton Harbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Investor Memberships: Investor-governed organization with private sector investors who provide annual membership support. Investors include businesses and organizations committed to economic development in Berrien County.
2. Government Grants and Public Funding: Funding from Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other state/federal sources for specific programs and initiatives.
3. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: Sponsorships from organizations like 1st Source Bank for programs such as the OWN IT Entrepreneur Series. Partnerships with municipalities and developers facilitate project-based collaboration.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit, investor-governed economic development organization that delivers customer-focused economic development solutions for Berrien County, Michigan. It provides business retention and expansion services, new business attraction, site selection, incentive facilitation, entrepreneur support, housing resource development, community placemaking, and educational programming to grow employment opportunities and increase the local tax base.

Product overview

Cornerstone Alliance is a non-profit economic development organization that offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings include: Business Development Services (business retention & expansion, new business attraction, site selection, talent recruiting); Housing Resource Development (countywide housing studies, zoning reform support, developer guidance); Community Development (downtown revitalization, waterfront redevelopment, placemaking); and Educational Programs (Cornerstone Development Academy, Rural Readiness Program, OWN IT Series, Insight & Impact Series, HR Roundtables). Additional programs include the Women's Business Center, ELEVATE Entrepreneurship, FLEX Female Leadership Excellence, Developer Day, Annual Meeting, Economic Summit, First Choice Program, Business Plan Certified Program, and the Renaissance Development Fund. The organization also operates Canal Commons, a one-acre public waterfront gathering space, and a Community Wi-Fi Project in Benton Harbor. The portfolio represents an integrated ecosystem of economic development, community growth, housing, and entrepreneurial support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women's Business Center (WBC): A program at Cornerstone Alliance dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs with resources, training, counseling, and mentorship programs serving Cass, Berrien, and Van Buren counties.
• Cornerstone Development Academy
• Canal Commons
• OWN IT Series
• FLEX: Female Leadership Excellence

Products and services

• Business Development Services Comprehensive business development support including business retention and expansion, new business attraction, site selection, talent recruiting and retention, incentive and financial assistance discovery, and access to capital for businesses in Berrien County.
• Sites & Buildings Inventory of shovel-ready sites, industrial parks, and existing buildings competitively priced and strategically located on or near interstate transportation corridors, including Lake Michigan Industrial Park with 827 acres of development-ready land.
• Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Program Customized services providing meetings with existing Berrien County companies to understand successes and strategize growth, connecting businesses to appropriate services and resources to address challenges.
• New Business Attraction Regional authority service that eliminates barriers for new businesses to locate in Berrien County, providing data on available Industrial and Commercial property and connecting businesses with local and state incentives.
• Housing Resource Development Initiative including countywide housing studies, zoning reform support, and dedicated resources to guide municipalities and developers through housing-related opportunities in Berrien County.
• Cornerstone Development Academy Four-part educational series for municipal staff, elected officials, and board members covering real estate development fundamentals, market analysis techniques, site evaluation strategies, and effective marketing approaches.
• Rural Readiness Program Program equipping communities with knowledge and tools necessary to attract and support new housing and mixed-use development, including comprehensive education sessions and tailored consulting services for participating municipalities.
• Women's Business Center Program empowering women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to achieve financial independence in Southwest Michigan, providing technical assistance, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding for Cass, Berrien, and Van Buren counties.
• Business Plan Certified Program Eight-month program where entrepreneurs complete business plans and present to a panel of local investors. Inaugural graduating class of 16 entrepreneurs celebrated at ELEVATE Entrepreneurship 2025 event.
• Renaissance Development Fund Financial program providing loans for acquisition and construction to continue redevelopment of properties, supporting housing development initiatives including Harbor Shores.
• Community Wi-Fi Project Free, secure, accessible, and reliable internet services providing public Wi-Fi nodes at June Woods Park, Union Park, Boys and Girls Club, and Harbor City Flats in Benton Harbor.
• Canal Commons One-acre public waterfront gathering space located between Benton Harbor's shipping canal and Emma Jean Hull Flats, featuring seating areas, firepits, shade structures, open lawn space, trail connections, and a deck overlooking the canal.
• First Choice Program Program helping Berrien County businesses attract new talent to Michigan's Great Southwest by providing customized community tours to candidates interviewing with local businesses, showcasing neighborhoods, business districts, schools, and housing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Created more than 1,000 new jobs and $215 million in investment from 2015-2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Southwest Michigan FirstcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026Regional economic development organization. Carla Sones, Interim CEO, provided perspective on shared economic development efforts and organizational capacity building.
• Indiana Michigan PowercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Lake Michigan Industrial Park selected for Indiana Michigan Power's Future Ready Site Accelerator program, positioning the site for industrial investment.
• Emerge Innovation HubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New memorandum of understanding creating expanded pathways for entrepreneurs to access resources, space, and support throughout Southwest Michigan. Partnership strengthens regional ecosystem for innovation and business growth.
• Harbor Country Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Shared satellite office space in downtown New Buffalo, set to open early summer 2026. Space provided by CopperRock Construction's Executive Homes division. Gives both organizations visible presence in Harbor Country.
• Bowen National ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Nationally respected housing analysis firm conducting countywide Housing Needs Assessment. Partnership provides data and insights to drive strategic housing development in Berrien County.
• The Marquette Developer (The Rienks Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2025$55 million mixed-use project in downtown St. Joseph with 100 residential units. Cornerstone providing public engagement, planning, navigation, and project support.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025Key state partner providing funding, programs, and technical assistance. MEDC programs used include Revitalization and Placemaking Program, Community Revitalization Program, 21st Century Jobs Fund, Brownfield Tax Increment Financing, and Match on Main grants.
• BC Cal-Kal Inland Port Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2024Christina Frank appointed Secretary of Board overseeing Foreign Trade Zone #43 spanning 14 Michigan counties. Supports international trade and manufacturing.
• Women's Business Center (WBC) at Cornerstone AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2024Cornerstone Alliance hosts the WBC serving Cass, Berrien, and Van Buren counties. 20+ years of empowering women entrepreneurs with training, counseling, and startup grants.
• Renaissance Development FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2024Financial partner providing loans for acquisition and construction. Supports Harbor Shores redevelopment and other housing development initiatives.
• City of Benton HarborflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2024Key municipal partner for Canal Commons development and downtown redevelopment initiatives. City provided $25,000 commitment for waterfront plaza and approved Downtown Social District.
• Harbor Shores Community RedevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2024Development partner for waterfront projects including Canal Commons and Harbor Shores riverfront development ($150 million riverfront development). Owns and maintains Canal Commons site.
• Berrien CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2024County government partner for waterfront projects and regional development initiatives.
• 1st Source BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 March 2024Title sponsor of OWN IT Entrepreneur Series and Annual Meeting sponsor. Financial institution supporting entrepreneurship and business growth in the region.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Muskegon Area First: County-level Michigan economic development organization providing site selection, incentives, and business support; directly analogous county-focused EDO to Cornerstone.
• Lakeshore Advantage: Nonprofit economic development organization serving Ottawa/Allegan counties in West Michigan with business retention, attraction, and site services closely mirroring Cornerstone's model.
• The Right Place: Grand Rapids-based regional economic development nonprofit driving business attraction, retention, and workforce initiatives — the same core mission as Cornerstone at larger scale.
• Ann Arbor SPARK: Michigan economic development nonprofit focused on business attraction, entrepreneurship, and talent; comparable investor/partner-funded EDO structure and program mix.

Regional players

• Southwest Michigan First: Regional economic development organization in Southwest Michigan; a named collaborator and the closest geographic peer serving overlapping counties with similar business-attraction and talent services.
• Kinexus Group: Southwest Michigan nonprofit focused on workforce and business development in the same Berrien/Cass/Van Buren footprint, overlapping on talent and employer services.
• Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Nearby Indiana investor-driven economic development and chamber organization with a similar membership-funded, business-attraction model; a former employer of Cornerstone's current CEO.

Broad incumbents

• Detroit Regional Partnership: Larger regional economic development nonprofit for the 11-county Detroit region; overlapping attraction and investment mission but broader in geography and scale.
• Michigan Economic Development Corporation: Statewide public economic development entity and a flagship funding partner; performs comparable incentive and attraction functions at the state level.

Emerging players

• Invest Detroit: Mission-driven development finance and economic growth nonprofit; overlaps on capital facilitation and community development within Michigan.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CornerstoneAlliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cornerstone-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/cornerstone_alliance
• Xx.com/CStoneAlliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cornerstone Alliance