Business

White Pigeon Community Schools Superintendent Ron Drzewicki said Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. and TowerPinkster, will be hosting a contractor outreach meeting 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at Central Elementary School. The meeting – open to any licensed and bonded contractor – will focus on bid requirements and promote participation in construction projects to be funded by a five-year, 3-mill sinking fund …

The St. Joseph County United Way had a record-setting 2013 campaign, as its fundraising effort received more than $735,000. During its annual victory celebration Thursday in Three Rivers, representatives from the Centreville-based agency announced the figure, which is the most in the local United Way’s 15-year history. It also marked an increase of more than 8 percent from the $680,000 …

Voters in the Three Rivers Community Schools district will be asked later this year to renew a non-homestead tax that generated more than $3.7 million last year. The 20-year-request will appear before voters in May, as the current non-homestead tax is expiring soon and renewal of what is currently more than 17.2 mills the district collects is essential to its …

The St. Joseph County United Way will announce this afternoon the results of its 2013 fundraising campaign. Though it started last February, the 2013 drive kicked into high gear in August with the Donut Days giveaway in each of the county’s eight communities. The 2013 goal is $715,000, the most the Centreville-based agency has ever sought. A month ago, Kelly …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Tuesday announced the St. Joseph County Grange Fair will receive a $20,000 state grant to fund construction of an educational exhibit pavilion to showcase beef. The county is participating in the County Fairs Capital Improvement Program, which provides Michigan’s county fairs with funds for proposed enhancements to fairgrounds across the state. Lori said agriculture has …

A business founded in Sturgis nine years ago is moving its operations to LaGrange County, Ind. Lake Area Designs, which manufactures wood furniture and custom moulding for the recreational-vehicle industry, was awarded a tax abatement earlier this week by officials from the town of LaGrange. Lake Area Designs is expected to invest $1.5 million to lease and renovate a 24,000-square-foot …

A White Pigeon man who failed to stop for a red light on U.S. 131 in Lockport Township contributed to the cause of a three-vehicle accident last week. Michigan State Police said William Bradford was driving north on the highway when he struck a southbound car turning left onto North Main Street at 6:30 p.m. Friday. His vehicle struck the …

Officials from American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. have announced a $100 million investment in its Three Rivers plant, which is expected to create 500 new jobs at the local site. The news comes on top of the addition of 300 new jobs the company said it added in Three Rivers last year. Company officials said the addition centers on …

Despite the snow and cold, an $18 million road project is slated to kick off today. The five-mile, Constantine U.S. 131 bypass is scheduled to begin with attention focusing on construction of a bridge over the St. Joseph River in Constantine Township, about a half mile west of the U.S. 131 bridge in the village of Constantine. Contractor Hardman Construction …

A spring completion date for the Three Rivers Menard’s home-improvement store appears to be on track. Construction officials said construction of the 215,000-square-foot business is on pace to open in April, as projected. The store is under construction on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131. Development started in July. The new Menard’s is expected to …