Cathy Yates

Mike Ryan introduced our speaker for the day, Cathy Yates, Benton Township Supervisor. Kathy was raised in Louisiana and moved to this area to help her mother after her father’s death. She is married with two children. 

Cathy took over the job as Supervisor in 2019. She discovered that the agreement with St. Joe for sewer treatment was set to expire in 2020. What resulted was an $8 million, 5-year Benton Township project to build their sewer pipeline to the St. Joe-Benton Harbor Sewer Treatment Center. The pipeline will be installed under the St. Joe River and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Riverview Drive will be blocked off for most of this year. 

Cathy reviewed many of the new businesses in the Township. “We are always looking for new ideas and new businesses,” she said. There are two new establishments opening this spring: a Chick-fil-A and a Starbucks. They are near the old Steak ‘n Shake. She hopes that the old Hardee’s building in that location will be torn down soon. 

Two new hotels are being built. She says that, believe it or not, the many hotels in the township have excellent occupancy. 

A new car wash is being built at the site of the old Rite-Aid on M-139 and Napier. Ollie’s Thrift Store is very popular. The Wings Restaurant, located off Mall Drive, is also very popular. A Tractor Supply Store is coming near Lowe’s. 

Cathy said that something needs to be done with the old Mall Site. She said this is the year that something will have to happen. She intends to get tough with the owners. 

She said that Fire Chief, Ron Harper, is doing a great job and that they are getting a new fire truck this year. She said the car would cost $ 1.2 million. The Township has also been testing residences for lead and replacing some water lines. They are also looking into building their own Water Plant. She has not heard from anyone interested in creating a Data Center in the Township, but she would be open to the idea.