Cornerstone Alliance Small Business Services (CASBS) provides business counseling, training, technical and financial resource assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on low-income, women, and minority entrepreneurs.

CASBS utilizes a network of economic development resources to provide advice and assistance that is as complete, thorough, and as confidential as possible.

Looking for Funds to Start a Business, or Need Funds to Help Your Business Grow?

If you are located in Berrien, Cass or Van Buren County, then look no further!  Small businesses needing small-scale financing and technical assistance for start-up can apply to obtain Microloan Funding at Cornerstone Alliance.  Here are some of the basics of the loan program:

• Who Qualifies?  Most small or start-up businesses located in Berrien, Cass & Van Buren Counties qualify.  Members of minority groups, women, low income individuals an veterans are priorities of the program.
• Average Loan Size?  $500 to $10,000.00 on average, although larger amounts may be considered.  Total debt of the project cannot exceed $105,000.00
• Use of Loan Proceeds?  You may use the loan for the purchase of business equipment such as machinery, fixtures, or furniture...the purchase of business supplies and materials...inventory...or working capital.
• Businesses that Do Not Qualify?  Not-for-profit companies, consumer and marketing co-ops, academic institutions, gambling concerns, floor planning concerns (i.e., wholesale auto inventory financing), speculative concerns (i.e., real estate and commodities, lending or investment institutions, and multi-level marketing or pyramid sales.

Technical Assistance & Business Training Programs are also available, upon request.

Call 269-925-6100 or toll free 1-866-477-9922 to learn more. Our e-mail address is:  smallbusiness@cstonealliance.org

Renaissance Development Fund

Commercial Micro-Loan Program

An initiative aimed at addressing access to business financing for those who are traditionally underserved, including low-income persons, persons with disabilities, women and minorities. Borrowers with a minimum of 6 months business history may be eligible for a business plan loan ranging from $500 to $25,000. 

The State of Michigan is doing its part to support small businessmen and women by encouraging state agencies to buy Michigan products and services first.  To learn more about the program, click here:

Buy Michigan First!

CORE FOUR Business Planning Courses

Our Small Business Services Unit offers the CORE FOUR Business Planning Courses quarterly throughout the year, with sessions that present entrepreneurs with information on how to plan a business.  Each quarterly program includes classroom instruction on marketing, cash-flow, and operational planning.  There is also a strategic Success Planning component, which focuses on the pesonal goals of the business owner, business ethics, and other personal development topics.

Technical Assistance Program

Our Technical Assistance Program provides both business and technical assistance to low-income individuals who are looking to obtain private-sector financing for their businesses.  The TA program is designed to address the specific neeeds of the low-income small business owner, by assembling every possible resource into one strong support system dedicated to the success of the business.  Among the services in our TA program you will find:

• Entrepreneur Support
• Pre-Loan Application Review
• Loan Application Processing
• Loan Packaging
• Financial Assistance
• Financial Counseling
• Management Assistance
• Marketing Assistance
• Government Contracts Assistance

Business Resource Center

Located on the first floor of the Cornerstone Alliance and Chamber of Commerce Building, the Business Resource Center provides clients of our Small Business Services team a resource of counselors, business reference materials, computers, Internet access, and computer software to help with every aspect of starting or expanding a small business.

Our Business Resource Center offers a reference library addressing a wide array of business issues, including Entrepreneur Magazine's Start-Up Guides. 

The Business Guides are designed to give clients the help, information, and guidance needed to make their dreams a reality.  Step-by-step instruction, how-to lists and hands-on worksheets guide clients through every aspect of the start-up process.  Choose from over 20 guides covering such subjects as Home Inspection Services, Sales & Marketing, Bridal Consulting, Child Care Services, Starting & Running a Home-Based Business, and many others.  Additionally, a video library addressing many of the business planning and marketing concerns is available through this unit.

In addition to the counseling services, computer workstations, and business financing opportunities currently available, clients have access to reference materials, computer databases, text books, on-line information exchange, start-up guides, periodicals and brochures, computer tutorials and video tapes. 

You'll find the Business Resource Station on the ground floor of our offices at 38 W. Wall Street in downtown Benton Harbor.  You may call 269-757-0211 for an appointment to visit the library or use the center's computer workstations. 

The Women's Business Center and Microloan Program are partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Cornerstone Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and provider.