Start a Business - City of St. Joseph, Michigan

Live Here - St. Joseph is carefully nestled on the southern tip of what has been termed "The Riviera of the Midwest." This deepwater port town is a growing resort community – The lakeshore is peppered with remarkable sand dune formations and lined further inland with a lush countryside that produces some of the nation's finest orchards and vineyards.

2009 Report on Lake Boulevard Bluff Evaluation
A study was conducted by Soil and Materials Engineers, Inc. in mid-July, 2009. This evaluation consisted of the existing coastal bluff along Lake Boulevard between Park Street and Water Street. To read the report in its entirety, please click here.
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Neighborhood Watch
Crime Prevention Information Line - Call (269) 985-0300 to hear how you can help yourself and your neighborhood avoid becoming a victim of various crimes that have occurred in our City. Seasonal crime prevention and safety tips are also given out on this line which is updated several times a month.
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Public Health
The Berrien County Health Department offers a variety of clinics to the public.
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Hydrant Flow Testing
The St. Joseph Fire Department and/or the St. Joseph Water Department periodically flow fire hydrants to check the function of the hydrants, to evaluate the firefighting water available from each hydrant, to monitor the condition of the water system, and to remove rust and other sediment from the water distribution system.
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Work Here - St. Joseph has become well known for its beautiful location along Lake Michigan, its quality public school system, its health care system, its beaches, parks, and other natural amenities. The presence of many large corporations causes the city's population to triple during the average workday.

Licenses & Permits
The issuance of Licenses and Permits is typically a function of the Clerk's Office, the Inspections Department or the Public Safety Department. For more information regarding specific licenses or permits, please click on the links below.
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Start a Business
The City of St. Joseph encourages and supports the local business community. If you would like to start a business in St. Joseph, you may find our Chamber of Commerce page useful.
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Business and Economic Development Assistance
Cornerstone Alliance
Cornerstone Alliance leads business retention and expansion efforts throughout all of Berrien County, helping local businesses stay and grow here; and support issues that enhance our area's economic competitiveness. Cornerstone Alliance leads initiatives to attract new investment and new companies to Michigan's Great Southwest and works to grow entrepreneurial businesses; offering a full range of start-up and early growth services. Founded in 1987, Cornerstone Alliance is an economic development organization supported by investments from the private and public sectors, serving Berrien County and its municipalities. The dedicated business development team experts are ready to work with you on your next project.

Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce
Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization encouraging the growth of business through networking, advocacy, visibility and benefits for all of our members.

Michigan Small Business Development Center
The Michigan Small Business Development Center provides counseling, training, research and advocacy for start-ups, existing small businesses and innovative tech companies. Counselors provide support and a planning tool to help evaluate the direction of your technology, chart strategies and more. Check out their Guide to Starting and Operating a Small Business.

City of St. Joseph Downtown Development Authority

St. Joseph Today
St. Joseph Today is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1979. With a mission to enhance the image and recognition of St. Joseph, Michigan, promote business and tourism development and to augment the effort of local governmental units. We are dedicated to serving visitors, residents and local businesses.

Contact St. Joseph Today if you are interested in the Farmers Market or participating in any of the other programs put on by the agency.
Southwest Michigan Tourist Council

Berrien County Community Development Department

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The MEDC organization works to be “helpful in the marketing of Michigan and providing the tools and environment to drive job creation and investment. The MEDC helps create more and better jobs by accelerating business investments, increasing community vitality, matching talent supply with demand, and building the state’s exceptional Pure Michigan Brand.” Their website will help provide information for all aspects of your business.
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Rental Property
All rental property registrations and inspections are managed by the Inspections Department. If you have any questions regarding Zoning or Planning in the City of St. Joseph please visit the Zoning Department's webpage. If you have still any further questions regarding rental property, please contact the Inspections Department using the contact information located on their webpage and we will be happy to address your concerns.
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Other Links

Play Here - Looking for something fun to do? St. Joseph has it all with an abundance of parks and recreational facilities that cater to a variety of enthusiasts' tastes. Set out for an afternoon of fishing, laze on one of our many beaches, take a stroll along picturesque trails, or hit the skate park. Whatever you're after, you'll find it here.

St. Joseph Municipal Band

The City of St. Joseph offers municipal band concerts every Sunday throughout the summer months. Conveniently located downtown at Port Street and Lake Boulevard, the municipal band concerts take place at the John E. N. Howard Band Shell. Its namesake, John Howard, was conductor of the municipal band beginning in 1948 through 1987; also, he was the St. Joseph High School band director until he retired in 1963.
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John & Dede Howard Skate Park | Parks
The John and Dede Howard Skate Park is an in-line skating, skateboarding, and BMX biking facility. Complete with ramps, rails and half-pipes. Helmets are recommended.
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Recreational Programs
Recreational programs including the Summer Recreational Program and the Summer Tennis program are managed by the Parks Department. If you visit the Parks Department, you will find relevant forms for registration for and information about these programs.
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Plan My St. Joseph Wedding?
St. Joseph, known for its abundant natural resources and great picturesque landscapes, makes a wonderful place to get married. St. Joseph has been nationally acclaimed as "Michigan's Most Romantic City" by the Detroit Free Press and the "Riviera of the Midwest" by the Fine Living Channel.
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St. Joseph Today
The Welcome Center promotes tourism in the area.
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Other Links

Government - St. Joseph's prosperity depends on each of its citizens taking an active role in making our town a special place on the lake. Find out more about what's going on with the City Commission, take a look at City Commission agendas, catch up on the latest City notices, announcements or ordinances, and view local election information.

Elections & Voting
Any United States citizen who is at least 18 years of age by the date of the next election and who is a resident of the State of Michigan and the City of St. Joseph may register to vote in the City of St. Joseph by completing a Voter Registration Application.

You can register to vote at any Secretary of State Branch office, the County Clerk's Office, or the St. Joseph City Clerk's Office. If you are unable to go to any of these offices to register, please contact your local Clerk at (269) 983-6325.

If you are registered to vote and have moved or changed your name, you must contact your local Clerk's office to ensure that your registration is correct. Voters who have registered at least 30 days prior to an election may exercise their right to vote by appearing at the polls on Election Day or by obtaining an absent voter ballot.

Elections

Michigan Election Law provides that elections must be held on only four (4) predetermined dates throughout the year:
- The fourth Tuesday in February
- The first Tuesday after the first Monday in May
- The first Tuesday after the first Monday in August
- The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
Polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day.

Polling Locations

Precinct 1: City Hall, 700 Broad Street
Precinct 2: Howard Ice Arena Building - 2414 Willa Drive
Precinct 3: Zion Evangelical UCC Church - 3001 Veronica Court

Please refer to your Voter Registration Card or the Michigan Voter Information Center to determine your registration status or voting precinct. If you are a St. Joseph registered voting living abroad or military personnel stationed elsewhere, please visit the Michigan Military and Overseas Civilian Voter website.

Absent Voter Ballots

A voter may request an Absent Voter Ballot for any of the following reasons:
- 60 years of age or older; or
- Absent from the community the entire time the polls are open on election day; or
- Physically unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another; or
- Cannot attend the polls because of the tenets of your religion; or
- Have been appointed an election precinct inspector in a precinct other than the precinct where you reside; or
- Cannot attend the polls because you are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or trial.
Absent Voter Ballots may be requested from the local clerk by completing and returning an Absent Voter Ballot Application. Be sure to include your name, your registered address, phone number, the address you would like the ballot sent to and your reason for the request. If you would like to have your name placed on our permanent Absent Voter List, please complete and return the Permanent Absent Voter Request, this will ensure that you automatically receive an Absent Voter Ballot Application prior to each election.

Election Inspectors

The City Clerk's office is always looking for citizens available to serve as election inspectors. Election Inspectors are citizens who are paid to assist voters at the polls on Election Day. The City of St. Joseph has three (3) voting precincts, all of which must be maintained by inspectors for each election. In addition, the City maintains an Absent Voter Counting Boards to process all Absent Voter Ballots. If you are a registered voter and are interested in serving as an Election Inspector, please complete and return an Election Inspector Application.

City Commissioners are elected in November of odd numbered years. A Primary Election will be held in August whenever more than two candidates qualify as nominees for each office to be filled.

Other information and forms
Other resources and links

STATE OF MICHIGAN VOTER INFORMATION CENTER AND SAMPLE BALLOT
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633-49313--,00.html

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS CIVILIAN VOTERS
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633-238835--,00.html
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Boards & Commissions
Each year, the St. Joseph City Commission appoints citizens who express an interest in serving on the numerous boards, commissions and committees that are so vital in helping shape the future of the City of St. Joseph.

If you have a willingness to voluntarily serve your Community in this capacity and have a particular interest or knowledge in any of the following areas, you may wish to contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an application to seek an appointment. Questionnaires are also available for those members seeking re-appointment to a City board, commission or committee.
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City Commission
The City Commission typically meets on alternating weeks on the second floor of City Hall.
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Code of Ordinances
This provides a link to all legislation received by Municipal Code since the last update (printed or electronic) to the Code of Ordinances. This legislation has been enacted, but has not yet been codified. Each piece of legislation, where applicable, is also linked to the portion of the Code that it affects.
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Other Links

How Do I? – Browse a collection of questions people most frequently ask, from applying for a building permit to planning a wedding. If you don't find the answers your looking for, please let us know and we'll help point in in the right direction.

Contact someone for non-emergency issues?
Please call the Berrien County Dispatch at 269-926-2538 for a non-emergency issues or if you see suspicious activity.
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Purchase
The Purchase section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I purchase...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains, please feel free to contact the City online or call the Clerk's Office at (269)-983-6325.
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File
The File section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I file...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains please feel free to contact the City (269-983-5541) and we will be happy to assist you.
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Report
The Report section is a list of FAQs under the How Do I? heading that would start with the phrase "How do I report...?". Listed below you will find links of these FAQs that will redirect you to the area of the website with the answer to your question. If you have any further concerns or questions about this particular section or the questions it contains please feel free to contact the City (269-983-5541) and we will be happy to assist you.
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Other Links

The City of St. Joseph encourages and supports the local business community. If you would like to start a business in St. Joseph, you may find our Chamber of Commerce page useful.

Berrien County regulates all businesses within Berrien County and also issues business permits. Below you will find a link to Berrien County's Community Development page, which includes FAQs for starting small businesses. If you have any further questions about who to contact regarding business development in the City of St. Joseph, or about the City of St. Joseph in general, please feel free to contact the City and someone will be happy to assist you.

Relevant Information