Development groups form new partnership

If handling the needs of industries across the Niles and Buchanan area didn’t give him enough on his plate, Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance’s Director Joe Sobieralski has taken on a whole new set of challenges, located only a few miles to the east.

Sobieralski has recently taken over leadership of the Cass County Economic Development Corporation, which serves a similar role to SMEGA in communities like Dowagiac and Cassopolis. The executive director is taking over for former CCEDC consultant Cynthia LaGrow, who resigned from the position last month after being appointed as a consultant for the Benton Harbor Area Schools district.

“We’ve always considered Cass County part of our territory, so it was a natural fit for the CCEDC to seek us out, to continue their efforts,” Sobieralski said.

LaGrow, the owner of LaGrow Consulting and the Cassopolis village manager, had served as the manager of the economic development corporation since 2012.

“I have enjoyed working in Cass County and have been excited to be part of such a pro-business area where we have seen over $50 million in investment and over 350 jobs created. I wish Cass County and SMEGA a successful partnership,” LaGrow said in statement released by SMEGA.

Founded in 1982, SMEGA has worked for the past 30 plus years with manufacturers and other industrial companies in the greater Niles area, helping develop the success of the Bertrand Crossing industrial park, where Alro Steel and other factories are located. The CCEDC has experienced similar success in attracting and retaining businesses to its region, helping facilitate the expansion of manufacturers like Creative Foam and Ameriwood in Dowagiac and Postle Aluminum in Cassopolis.

While the two organizations will continue to operate as separate entities, Sobieralski will soon split his time between the regions, holding offices hours in downtown Niles and at the Cass County annex in Cassopolis. His dual role will not only help the two development corporations to share resources with one another, but it should also help collaboration between businesses across both counties, Sobieralski said.

“We’re the lucky ones who visit all the companies in the area, so we have knowledge on what each one can do,” Sobieralski said. “A lot of times, one of these companies is in need of a service that another company in southwest Michigan can provide, but they might not know that. If we can connect those two, we can keep the wealth within the area.”

Sobieralski has been with the Niles organization since February 2013, having previously served as the city manager of Bangor and village manager of Stevensville. Prior to becoming executive director, he served as project manager with SMEGA.

While still getting up to speed with the activity in Cass County, Sobieralski said he intends to carry forward the economic momentum generated by the CCEDC over the last several years while continuing the decades-long mission of SMEGA into the future.

“I think it’s hugely important to have an advocate, to have that person that’s making connections with businesses to keep what they have here in the area and attract new ones,” Sobieralski said. “If you don’t make those kinds of relationships here, similar organizations in every other region of the country will be glad to take what you have.”