The city of St. Joseph will continue its economic development partnership with Cornerstone Alliance in 2025.
At this past week’s regular meeting, St. Joe City Commissioners approved a new yearly contract with Cornerstone as it helps the city attract new businesses and make community improvements.
Cornerstone’s Andrew Hahn told commissioners one big success in 2024 was a project to improve business facades downtown.
“The program wrapped up just this month, or last month in November,” Hahn said. “The $75,000 that were committed by the city, the DDA, and Cornerstone resulted in nearly $400,000 in total investment.”
City commissioners approved that agreement early last year. Cornerstone Alliance provided $25,000 while the city and Downtown Development Authority contributed another $50,000 so businesses could apply for matching grants of up to $10,000 to improve their fronts.
Hahn said one big project on the horizon is work at Court Place Plaza.
“We’ll end up with about $150,000 to do some improvements to the plaza. There’s a vision for something even greater that would stretch all the way back to Main Street and I think we’re optimistic that we’re going to keep pursuing other grant opportunities.”
A major goal in 2025 will be to attract new housing. Hahn said the Downtown Development Authority, the city commission, and Cornerstone Alliance set a target of developing 900 new residential units in the city at a recent joint meeting. Work is getting started on attracting developers.
Hahn said another focus of Cornerstone Alliance remains marketing the community to businesses. He said that effort goes on each day on a national scale.
