Southwestern Alliance Region

The Southwestern Alliance provides economic development services to the communities in southern Berrien County, Michigan.  The Alliance also recognizes and promotes the value of regional businesses, amenities, and the population found in the larger Michiana area which includes six counties:  Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties in Michigan along with Elkhart, St. Joseph and LaPorte counties in Indiana.

 

As part of this regional approach, the Southwestern Alliance shares news, information, and celebrity highlights from these six counties.

#10 James Heddon invented the first artificial lure in Dowagiac, Michigan on the banks of Mill Pond.

 

#11 Kitty-Litter was invented in Cassopolis, Michigan by entrepreneur Edward Lowe.

 

 

 

#12 Frank Lloyd Wright designed three houses in Southwest Michigan (2 in St. Joseph and 1 in Benton Harbor).

 

#13 Roger Ebert, a film critic, has a vacation residence in Harbert, Michigan.

 

 

 

#14 Emery Valentine, the 13^th mayor of Juneau Alaska, was born in

Dowagiac, Michigan.

 

 

#15 Vivica Anjanetta Fox is an actress who was born in South Bend, Indiana.

 

 

 

#16 Sinbad (David Adkins) is an actor/comedian from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 #18 Robert Whaley is an NBA player from Benton Harbor, Michigan

 

 

 

#19 Bobo Brazil was a Pro-wrestler who lived in

St. Joseph, Michigan.

 

 

 

 

 #20 Muhammad Ali currently has a home in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

#22 Avanti Motor Company was founded in South Bend, Indiana at the former Studebaker complex.

#23 Oliver Corporation, a farm equipment maker, built chilled plows in South Bend, Indiana.

 

 #25 Chris Taylor was an Olympic wrestler who hailed from Dowagiac, Michigan.

 

 #26 Wilson Chandler is a current NBA

player from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

#28 David Stremme is a current NASCAR driver from South Bend, Indiana.

 

#31 Gene Harris was a well-known jazz pianist from Benton Harbor, Michigan. 

#32 RV Hall of Fame/Capital of the World is located in Elkhart, Indiana.

#33 Enoch Hill Turnock was an architect who lived in Elkhart, Indiana and designed many public and private buildings throughout Indiana.

#34 Richard M. Daley, mayor of Chicago, has a summer home in Grand Beach, Michigan.
#35 Condoleezza Rice obtained her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1975 and is the former Secretary of State for President George W. Bush.

#36 Shawn Kemp, a former NBA player was from Elkhart, Indiana.

 

 

#37 Lindsay Benko is a two time gold medal Olympic swimmer from Elkhart,

#38 Studebaker was an iconic automobile manufacturer located in South Bend, Indiana.
#39 AM General is located in Mishawaka, Indiana and produces civilian and military vehicles for the United States Armed Forces.

#40 Conn Musical Instruments is located in Elkhart, Indiana and is a pioneer in the musical instrument industry.
#41 Julie Krone, was the first female jockey to win the Belmont Stakes and is from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

#42 Iris Kyle a professional female body builder is from Benton Harbor, Michigan.
#43 Freddie Fitzsimmons, former MLB pitcher and manager is from Mishawaka, Indiana.

#44 Achille "Chick" Maggioli, former NFL player for the Bills, Lions and Colts isFrom Mishawaka, Indiana.
#45 Craig Counsell, current MLB second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers was born in South Bend, Indiana.

#46 Erich Barnes, former NFL player for the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns is from Elkhart, Indiana.
#47 Preston J. Horne is an actor from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

 

#48 Arte Johnson is an actor/comedian from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

#49 John Bromfield is an actor from South Bend, Indiana. 

 

#60 George Gulyanics, former NFL player for the Chicago Bears from

Mishawaka, Indiana.
#61 Charles Butterworth was an actor from South Bend, Indiana.

 

#71 Bethel College is a liberal arts college located Mishawaka, Indiana. 

 

#72 South Bend Silver Hawks is a minor league farm team for the Arizona Diamond Backs.

#73 Southwestern Michigan College is a community college located in Dowagiac, Michigan. 

 

#74 Andrews University, located in Berrien Springs, Michigan is one of the most diverse universities in the nation.