Attention turned to twin cities Benton Harbor and St. Joseph as Whirlpool announced its economic commitment to the two communities.
The company's move had Free Press columnist Tom Walsh asking: Can a huge global company find happiness and sustainability in a small, broke Michigan town with a history of racial strife?
Excerpt:
Whirlpool, the world's largest appliance maker, founded 99 years ago and still based in the southwest Michigan twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, is saying yes to that question this summer with two big projects:
• An $85-million investment to build a riverfront office campus and renovate other headquarter facilities in Benton Harbor.
• The public debut of the 530-acre Harbor Shores development on Lake Michigan that straddles both towns. On Aug. 10, it will host golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Johnny Miller for an event at the Nicklaus-designed course that sits atop a former city dump and several old factory sites.
Getting to that yes, however, has been no easy task.
For more on how the decision came about, read
the rest of the column.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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