Taking over the position as the head of economic development in both Cass and southern Berrien counties in late January, Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance Director Barkley Garrett is still just getting his feet wet in his new role.

However, with his numerous responsibilities to business owners and entrepreneurs in two counties, along with overseeing a number of new initiatives on the horizons, the director is not having trouble filling his daily schedule.

During the board’s meeting Thursday, Garrett updated the members of the Cass County Board of Commissioners about how his first several months with SMEGA have gone as well as brought them up to speed with the activities the economic development organizations have in the work.

Founded in 1982 by a group of Niles businessmen who wished to help the region overcome an economic downturn, SMEGA has undergone several name changes, staff member shakeups and other shifts. However, the organization’s core mission remains the same: to retain businesses and manufacturers operating in the greater Niles region and to encourage economic expansion in the area.

“We want them to expand here instead of elsewhere,” Garrett said. “There are many opportunities for companies to grow, and they can do it here or they can do it somewhere else. We want to encourage them to do it here.”

The alliance also works to recruit new businesses to migrate or establish themselves locally, as well as works with small businesses and entrepreneurs, Garrett said.

The director came onboard SMEGA in late January, replacing former director Joe Sobieralski. A native of Alabama, Garrett spent 15 years working in economic development in Indiana, including six years as director of economic development for the City of Elkhart, he said.

During his tenure with the city, Garrett oversaw a massive uptick in business growth in the area, with unemployment falling from 20 percent down to 4, he said.

“The employers in Elkhart County pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps,” Garrett said. “We just came along and provided them with assistance. That is what we [SMEGA] want to do for southern Berrien and Cass counties as well.”

Several years ago, SMEGA entered into an agreement with the Cass County Economic Development Corporation, where the former would provide staffing and support on a part-time basis to the latter. As part the agreement, the director spends at least eight hours a week working with businesses in Cass.

“One day a week, I am either downstairs [in the county building] or visiting companies or doing activities that are focused on promoting Cass County, internally and externally,” Garrett said.

Garrett and other SMEGA staff members are also continuing to execute on the strategic plan developed by the Cass County EDC that was created last year.

SMEGA is also in the midst of developing its own internal strategic plan, which, similar to that made by the EDC, will highlight the organization’s goals, mission and how they measure success, Garrett said.

In addition, the organization is formulating plans to launch an electronic newsletter, highlighting economic activities, locally, statewide and nationally, the director said. The staff is also working on plans for a new website for SMEGA and eventually the EDC, Garrett said.

In the meantime, the organization will continue to work with local businesses and develop additional partnerships with other economic development entities to continue strengthening Cass and southern Berrien counties, Garrett said.

“We look forward to working with companies, whether they are doing great things or having struggles,” he said. “We are here to help.”