Berrien County

Hayes says chili tents will line the center of Front Street, while chili will also be served up in participating restaurants, creating a walkable tasting experience throughout the heart of downtown Buchanan.

She notes the judges of the chili contest include Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Hide and WSBT meteorologist Kerry Pouget.

Hayes adds the event is taking place at the same time as the Apple Festival in Niles, giving visitors to southern Berrien County things to check out in both communities.

We'll have the full schedule for the Harvest Fest and Chili Walk at our website.

You're listening to Southwest Michigan's Afternoon News Podcast from WSJM.

But a lot of things going on.

And I love learning about all the great programs and great things that are going on all around Berrien County.

So what are we going to talk about today and who are we talking with?

we're going to talk about belonging ambassadors and it should be no surprise to anyone that it takes some concerted effort to build a group of people that feel like i belong in this group so abby benfield is one of our whole child consultants along with one of her colleagues tiago developed a program that actually works with individuals where they get to work on those kind of projects.

And so today I have my friend and also patient, Mike Ford here.

And Mike is an amazing individual and he runs the Berrien County Parkinson's Support Group.

And I'm always impressed every time I learn more about this group.

And so this is our organization this month that we are supporting.

Yeah, absolutely.

Tell us

about the Berrien County Parkinson's Support Group.

Berrien County Parkinson's Support Group.

In the newsroom, I'm Andrew Green.

The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a Brownfield tax increment financing plan for the new Orchard View Loft Apartments Complex planned adjacent to the Blue Roof Church on Niles Road in St. Joseph.

Speaking to the board today, Community Development Director Dan Fetty said Dutch developers out of Ottawa County are planning six buildings with 144 apartments.

In exchange for the tax capture plan, the developers have agreed to keep 14 of the units income-restricted, reserved for people earning 120% of the median area income or less.

Fetty said the income-restricted units will be $1,800 for one-bedrooms and $2,100 for a two-bedroom.

The overall project is expected to be a $27.6 million investment for Dutch developers.

Berrien County's website has gotten a redesign.

The county information technology team has been working on the updated site for more than a year, and it launched this week.

Little did not specify what those issues were.

housing construction is on the increase in berrien county developers are currently planning a total investment of more than two hundred and sixty nine million dollars in new housing projects as they take advantage of state approved incentives and seek tax increment financing packages We reported last week that the Berrien County Brownfield Authority in the past two years has advanced projects that will result in the construction of more than 700 new units around the county, and officials say more are coming.

Projects are already underway in St. Joseph Township and the City of St. Joe, Royalton Township, Waterville 8, and Three Oaks.

Berrien County Commissioner Shokwe Pitchford has informed colleagues the Brownfield Authority is very busy.

The one thing that was a big topic of discussion is that Brownfield now is stronger than it's ever been.

It's in a really strong position.

Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fetty tells us the Brownfield Authority has had more to do in the past 18 months than it had to do in the previous five years.

Approved projects include a development at the former Berrien Hills Golf Course in St. Joe Township, the Orchard View Apartments near the Blue Roof Church in St. Joe Township, ongoing work at Harbor Shores, the Glen Lord Development in Royalton Township, River Oaks South in Waterville 8, and the Oakfield neighborhood planned in Three Oaks.

While Benton Harbor riders are the only ones paying a transit millage, then they should pay a lower fare than other riders.

He added later that he has some concerns about the articles of incorporation for the new Berrien County Transportation Authority and may brief city commissioners soon.

Little did not specify what his issues are.

A new grassroots group has been formed in Cass County to help local governments respond to large-scale tech developments like data centers and solar farms.

It also received a $400,000 DNR grant for a fishing pier and boardwalk at Riverwoods Park with construction to begin in April, and it was awarded a South Haven Community Foundation grant to support a youth golf camp attended by nearly 40 students.

Shara is comprised of the City of South Haven, South Haven Township, South Haven Public Schools, and Visit South Haven.

Developers are currently planning a total investment of more than $269 million in new housing projects around Berrien County as they take advantage of new state-approved incentives and seek Brownfield tax increment financing packages for the work they're doing.

We reported last week that the Berrien County Brownfield Authority in the past couple of years has advanced projects that will result in the construction of more than 700 new units around the county, and there's more coming.