While there is a steady stream of traffic on the I-94 Business Loop through the heart of downtown Benton Harbor, the neat but unassuming facade at Abonmarche Consultants located there rarely leads anyone to even dream that the engineering and architecture consultancy has surged in recent years and now boasts 120 employees system wide.
As Chris Cook, Abonmarche President & CEO says, “It’s good news for us. It’s good news for Benton Harbor.” Cook provides that assessment following his recent revelation that his engineering, surveying, planning and architectural consulting firm has doubled in size since 2013, surpassing the 100-employee mark. In fact, the staff is now at 120 with half of the firm’s team housed at the downtown Benton Harbor headquarters and the other employees working in five locations across Michigan and Indiana.
This employment growth spurt validates an increasing confidence in the economic health of the region. Cook said Abonmarche serves as a barometer of the optimism that exists here.
As the soft-spoken CEO says, “Many of our projects for Lake Michigan waterfront cities and inland communities are the precursor to positive economic conditions.” Abonmarche’s decision to grow its employee base stems from the region’s steadily increasing interest in improving harbor areas, city infrastructure and schools as well as the planning of new residential and manufacturing areas. Cook says, “It shows that our area communities aren’t stagnating or dying. They’re investing in their future.”
Cook credits Abonmarche’s roots in Benton Harbor to helping the company expand its economic footprint in the region. When the company’s founder, Ron Schults established the business in 1979, he served as the city’s engineer. The consulting and engineering work Schults did for the city has continued under Cook’s guidance.
Cook will tell you that, “The issues and projects we’ve been involved with in Benton Harbor have given us experience and knowledge we’ve parlayed in other communities.” He makes it clear that, “What we’ve learned from their visions and improvements we’ve applied here. This exchange of ideas is not only good for our clients but for our employees who see what can happen when cities rally their resources.”
Cook says people only need to visit Benton Harbor’s Main Street business district to see proof of the optimism that companies like his are feeling. He says, “You can see the grandeur of Whirlpool Corporation new office buildings, Michigan Department of Transportation’s road improvements, the development of Harbor Shores golf course and residential areas and the Arts District. There’s momentum to develop and improve the riverfront and harbor, too — all are positive indicators.”
For Cook this momentum means more than the potential for Abonmarche and developers to help improve the city and region he proudly calls home. He says it will give entrepreneurs the confidence to establish more restaurants, shops and companies in Benton Harbor. “That economic energy will help us continue to attract and keep employees who share our passion.”
As the company approaches its 40th anniversary year a couple of years out, Cook’s optimism and drive are hallmarks for a homegrown company that continues to soar with new associates coming on board all the time. Stay tuned.
