Whirlpool is planning a more than $50 million investment at its St. Joseph Technology Center. The appliance maker announced Thursday it’s replacing much or all of the existing facility, parts of which are more than 100 years old. Part of the overall plan includes creation of a residential, commercial, recreational, and commerce area linking nearly 4,000 Whirlpool employees with St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, and Benton Township. Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland tells WSJM News the news is big.
“It’s part of a holistic approach that companies now, big global companies, have to take when they’re trying to recruit talent,” Cleveland said. “It’s not just about offering a job or providing housing, or a great place to live. You have to have all of those things.”
News of the investment in the St. Joe Tech Center comes right on the heels of Whirlpool’s announcement of a $22 million housing development on Riverview Drive in Benton Harbor. Cleveland says the work at the tech center will help Whirlpool stay competitive.
“These are all pieces to the bigger picture of making sure that Whirlpool’s employees have the modern, high-tech facilities they need to be successful and continue to be the world’s leader in appliances.”
St. Joseph Mayor Mike Garey says “Whirlpool Corporation is a tremendously positive influence on our city,” adding “Whirlpool Corporation is a good community partner and reinvests back into our local community.” Work at the St. Joe Tech center is to start this year and finish in 2023.
