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State Resources
State Resources
Michigan.gov Online Services
If you ever considered starting a business, and you just don’t know where to start, you can find all you need to know from the Michigan.gov website. This website allows you to register your business and obtain all of the necessary permits and tax licenses to be a legal business entity in Michigan.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Michigan is committed to your business success. From operating guidance to capital funding to technology assistance, these resources can help your business start-up become more than just an idea waiting to happen.
LARA - Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
The Corporations, Securities, and Commercial Licensing Bureau supports business growth and job creation while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of Michigan's citizens through a simple, fair, efficient, and transparent regulatory structure.
UIA - Unemployment Insurange Agency
The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) administers the unemployment insurance program in Michigan and offers two online services for employers. The first, eRegistration, can be utilized to register a business for an unemployment insurance account. The second, Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), can be utilized to manage an unemployment account electronically and allows employers access to other automated services and functions within UIA.
Federal Resources
Small Business and Self Employed Tax Center
Download multiple small business and self-employed forms and publications. Find out more on EINs or apply for one online. Learn your options for e-filing Form 940, 941 or 944 for small businesses and more!
How To Get Your Credit Report:
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union - must provide you with a free copy of your credit report at least once every 12 months, at your request. This includes the information in your file and a list of everyone who has recently requested it.
Each of the three major reporting agencies keeps its own records that could differ slightly, so you will want to request a copy from each of them. The three agencies have set up one central website, toll-free phone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual credit report.
You are also entitled to a free copy of your credit report if someone has taken adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit or denying you employment. In this instance, you must make a request for your report within 60 days of receiving the notice of the action. You are also entitled to one free report every 12 months if you are unemployed looking for work, are on welfare, or if your report is inaccurate due to fraud. To find out how to get your credit report from each agency, call or visit the following web address:
Online Tools
Federal Resources
Small Business and Self Employed Tax Center - www.irs.gov/smallbiz
Download multiple small business and self-employed forms and publications. Find out more on EINs or apply for one online. Learn your options for e-filing Form 940, 941 or 944 for small businesses and more!
Contact Us
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Business Resource Center
The Business Resource Center (BRC) provides clients with counselors, computers, and software to help with starting or expanding a business. Computer workstations with Internet connections are available for client use. The Center also offers a printer, copier, workstations and other resources.
The Business Resource Center is located on the 1st floor of Cornerstone Alliance offices at 80 West Main in downtown Benton Harbor, Michigan. The Center is open Monday through Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm and Friday from 8:00am - 4:30pm.
Locations and Directions
The Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance
80 West Main Street
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269) 925-6100
WBC Satellite Office at the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce
(Every Friday and by appointment)
15311 Three Oaks Rd
Three Oaks, MI 49128
(269) 469-5409
WBC Satellite Office at the City of South Haven City Hall
(Every Monday and by appointment)
539 Phoenix St.
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 757-0225.
Interested in helping the WBC?
Facilitate a Class
We need your expertise, knowledge and support to help future entrepreneurs start, grow, and expand their business in Southwest Michigan! The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance collaborates with our local business community to deliver relevant and timely workshops and seminars designed to arm small business owners with the information and resources they need to operate their own business. You know what it takes to make a business successful… imagine sharing what you know with others!
If you are interested in facilitating a class or workshop, contact the WBC team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (269) 925-6100.
Application Forms:
Become an Investor
Looking for other ways to support the Women’s Business Center? It’s easy to become a Cornerstone Alliance investor! Your tax-deductible contribution can have a distinct impact on the growth of local small business. With your donation, you will fuel the sustainability of the WBC and assist with scholarships for economically challenged women, so they can have equal access to resources and economic empowerment. To learn more about becoming an investor visit the Cornerstone Alliance Investor Page; or contact Christina Frank at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (269) 757-0291.
Support the WBC
Interested in helping the WBC?
Facilitate a Class
We need your expertise, knowledge and support to help future entrepreneurs start, grow, and expand their business in Southwest Michigan! The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance collaborates with our local business community to deliver relevant and timely workshops and seminars designed to arm small business owners with the information and resources they need to operate their own business. You know what it takes to make a business successful… imagine sharing what you know with others!
If you are interested in facilitating a class or workshop, contact the WBC team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (269) 925-6100.
Become an Investor
Looking for other ways to support the Women’s Business Center? It’s easy to become a Cornerstone Alliance investor! Your tax-deductible contribution can have a distinct impact on the growth of local small business. With your donation, you will fuel the sustainability of the WBC and assist with scholarships for economically challenged women, so they can have equal access to resources and economic empowerment. To learn more about becoming an investor visit the Cornerstone Alliance Investor Page; or contact Christina Frank at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (269) 757-0291.
Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance (WBC) for little to no cost assists individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses by providing one-on-one technical business assistance and quality business and financial capability education.
Cornerstone Alliance complements the work of its WBC by offering direct business lending assistance in the form of SBA microloans that range from $500 to $50,000.
Services are open to anyone but, our focus is on women, people of color, veterans, and people of lower wealth – those most likely to face barriers in accessing business financing and support.
The WBC is accepting proposals for instructors and programming ideas. If you are interested in working with us to help impact the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties click on the link to learn more.
Learn, Know, Grow: Intro. to Small Business Services
This free class introduces participants to the many programs and services that the Women's Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance offers to entrepreneurs at every stage of their business. The Small Business Orientation is a prerequisite for all other WBC at Cornerstone Alliance services and classes. In order to receive business counseling or other services from the WBC and Microloan programs it is required that you have attended this course.
The following Topics will be discussed:
- WBC Resources and Programs
- Intro. to the Lean Canvas Business Plan model
- Access to Capital Through SBA Microloans & other funding sources
- Upcoming Events
Funders
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance would like to thank our funders:
