Southwest Michigan Planning Commission

09/02/2026

We are so excited about this new park for Benton Charter Township! Glad to partner with all of these great organizations!

09/01/2026

2026 Integrated Infrastructure Conference
Join infrastructure leaders from across Michigan and the nation on September 23–24, 2026 at Schoolcraft College’s Vistatech Center in Livonia for the 2026 Integrated Infrastructure Conference!

Themed From Silos to Synergy: Infrastructure Asset Management in Action, this day and a half event highlights how collaboration across systems and sectors drives smarter investments, stronger partnerships, and more resilient communities.

Check out the Full Agenda here: https://www.michigan.gov/mic/integrated-infrastructure-conference/2026-agenda

Building on the momentum from the inaugural event in 2024, the conference will feature experience driven sessions from asset owners across multiple disciplines—showcasing the transformative power of unified, integrated asset management. Whether you’re new to asset management, a seasoned practitioner, or simply passionate about strengthening infrastructure, the IIC offers valuable insights for everyone.

Registration is now open. Don’t miss your chance to connect with federal, state, and local government professionals; public and private infrastructure owners; elected officials; consultants and engineers; and academic and trade organizations working together to improve our infrastructure networks.

08/27/2026

Join us THIS evening to learn more about Data Centers, the Digital Economy & Local Job Creation!

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Van Buren Conference Center, Red Haven Room, 490 S Paw Paw St, Lawrence, MI 49064

Format: In-person session. This session will be recorded and posted to the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission's website.

Dr. Sarah Mills, Professor of Practice, University of Michigan Urban & Regional Planning; Director, UM Center for EmPowering Communities
Dr. Rex LaMore, Director Emeritus, Michigan State University Center for Community Economic Development

Registration is encouraged: https://www.theedaccess.com/southwest-michigan-civic-learning-sessions?fbclid=IwY2xjawT8ZWFwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR66hDkRuVoXoo5AqI2rh5ngH7xcOwGOPdV041kHBJp_-oF1CEuM0RkDIiQBKw_aem_6yA4xflC_02G7VT3vtWlnA

Southwest Michigan Civic Learning Sessions Free and open to the public. The Civic Learning Session series is designed to provide balanced, research-informed perspectives on three key focus areas: Data Centers, the Digital Economy & Local Job Creation; Farmland Preservation, Local Ownership & Value-A...

08/24/2026

Join us Thursday evening to learn more about Data Centers, the Digital Economy & Local Job Creation!

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Van Buren Conference Center, Red Haven Room, 490 S Paw Paw St, Lawrence, MI 49064
Format: In-person session. This session will be recorded and posted to the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission's website.

Speakers:
Dr. Sarah Mills, Professor of Practice, University of Michigan Urban & Regional Planning; Director, UM Center for EmPowering Communities
Dr. Rex LaMore, Director Emeritus, Michigan State University Center for Community Economic Development

Registration is encouraged:

Southwest Michigan Civic Learning Sessions Free and open to the public. The Civic Learning Session series is designed to provide balanced, research-informed perspectives on three key focus areas: Data Centers, the Digital Economy & Local Job Creation; Farmland Preservation, Local Ownership & Value-A...

07/30/2026

Are you a resident, worker, student, business owner, visitor, or community partner in Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren Counties? If so, we want to hear from you!

Survey: https://forms.gle/5tHgp4pKDHgJHS2g9

07/23/2026

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in the Twin Cities Area and Surrounding Communities!
How do you travel throughout the Benton Harbor–St. Joseph area and the surrounding communities? Whether you drive, bike, or walk, your experience matters!
The Twin Cities Area Transportation Study (TwinCATS) is updating its Long Range Transportation Plan, which will guide transportation improvements and investments over the next 25 years. This plan is essential for securing state and federal funding for future transportation projects throughout the Twin Cities area and neighboring communities.
Your feedback will help identify transportation needs, prioritize future improvements, and ensure our transportation system is safer, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.
📝 Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and help shape the future of transportation in your community!
👉 Survey Link: https://www.swmpc.org/resources/public-surveys/
Thank you for helping us build a transportation system that serves residents, businesses, and visitors across the Twin Cities region and surrounding communities!

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in the Twin Cities Area and Surrounding Communities!

How do you travel throughout the Benton Harbor–St. Joseph area and the surrounding communities? Whether you drive, bike, or walk, your experience matters!

The Twin Cities Area Transportation Study (TwinCATS) is updating its Long Range Transportation Plan, which will guide transportation improvements and investments over the next 25 years. This plan is essential for securing state and federal funding for future transportation projects throughout the Twin Cities area and neighboring communities.

Your feedback will help identify transportation needs, prioritize future improvements, and ensure our transportation system is safer, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.

📝 Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and help shape the future of transportation in your community!

👉 Survey Link: https://www.swmpc.org/resources/public-surveys/

Thank you for helping us build a transportation system that serves residents, businesses, and visitors across the Twin Cities region and surrounding communities!

07/23/2026

Southwest Michigan is developing a new Regional Economic Development Strategy, and we want to hear from you.

Southwest Michigan is developing a Regional Economic Development Strategy that will guide decisions about jobs, housing, infrastructure, business development, and investment in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. It will help shape which grants are pursued, which partnerships are built, and which...

07/09/2026

Help Shape the Future of Transportation in the Twin Cities Area and Surrounding Communities!

How do you travel throughout the Benton Harbor–St. Joseph area and the surrounding communities? Whether you drive, bike, or walk, your experience matters!

The Twin Cities Area Transportation Study (TwinCATS) is updating its Long Range Transportation Plan, which will guide transportation improvements and investments over the next 25 years. This plan is essential for securing state and federal funding for future transportation projects throughout the Twin Cities area and neighboring communities.

Your feedback will help identify transportation needs, prioritize future improvements, and ensure our transportation system is safer, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.

📝 Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and help shape the future of transportation in your community!

👉 Survey Link: https://www.swmpc.org/resources/public-surveys/

Thank you for helping us build a transportation system that serves residents, businesses, and visitors across the Twin Cities region and surrounding communities!

07/08/2026

Have old pesticides that need to be disposed of? Be sure to register by July 15 for the July 22 collection event to safely dispose of unwanted pesticide products!

There are only a few days left to register for the Clean Sweep Pesticide Collection event. Clean Sweep accepts unwanted and outdated pesticides, that are generated in the state of Michigan, for safe and proper disposal.
🟢Deadline to register = July 15
🟢Collection event date = July 22

The Clean Sweep Ag Pesticide Collection takes place in Benton Harbor. Upon registration, participants will be given a drop off time and directions to the location. Learn more and get a registration form at www.berriencounty.org/465/Clean-Sweep-Pesticide-Collections or email [email protected].

07/02/2026

Our office will be closed Friday, July 3rd, 2026 for the observance of the 4th of July and the 250th Anniversary of the USA.