How to Create Economic Growth - I&E Seminar

Learn the secrets to generate economic growth for a business or region.

I&E Seminar
Tuesday, April 11, 11:30 a.m., at Garber Auditorium, Chan Shun Hall.

Rob Cleveland, president of the Cornerstone Alliance, will talk about how economic growth may be created in a region or business and will share insights into the work being done by Cornerstone in Berrien County.

Cocurricular credit is available and the seminar is free of charge for Andrews University students, alumni and staff. Please, come and join us for this seminar!

About Rob Cleveland:

Rob Cleveland is the president of the Cornerstone Alliance. Located in Michigan's great Southwest, the Cornerstone Alliance is Berrien County's premiere economic development organization. He is a Certified Economic Development Professional (CEcD) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Previously, Cleveland was the director of Economic Development and Community Affairs at Indiana Michigan Power (AEP), where he led the company's business attraction, retention and expansion activities. Cleveland was responsible for I&M's efforts to certify sites with Food Processing and Data Center designations—the only such certified sites in the state of Indiana. He was also a member of I&M's Corporate Communications team.

Prior to joining I&M, Cleveland was the executive director of the Blackford County EDC. While in Blackford County, Cleveland worked on the retention and expansion of many of Blackford County's most successful operations. He assisted more than a dozen companies in new investment of more than $53 million—representing more than 10 percent of the entire net assessed value of Blackford County—and the creation of 175 new jobs.

Cleveland led the 2011 effort to assist Naturally Recycled Proteins (NRP) in locating in Montpelier. NRP had an initial investment of $14 million and 68 new jobs—the largest new job announcement in Blackford County in 18 years.

Prior to joining the BCEDC, Cleveland served as a public relations specialist with Andretti Green Racing, where he worked with Indianapolis 500 winners Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti. Cleveland began his professional career as a video coordinator and scout with the Indiana Pacers (NBA) and Indiana Fever (WNBA). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in sport administration from Ball State University. Cleveland and his wife, Susan, reside in Berrien County (Michigan) with their three children.