VAN BUREN
County Offices
219 East Paw Paw Street
Paw Paw 269-657-8200
https://www.vanburencountymi.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
206 East Michigan Avenue
Paw Paw 269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
Van Buren County serves as a transportation hub with three major rail lines and 82 miles of state highways and more than 40 miles of interstate system. Interstate 94 connects several communities as it runs westward from Mattawan through Paw Paw, Lawrence, and Hartford. Interstate 196 enters the western section of the county through Covert Township and South Haven. Newcomers will find a scenic region with a number of delightful communities for residential growth, along with outstanding outdoor recreation and vacation destinations.
Services
Advanced care is available right in Van Buren County, anchored by hospitals in Paw Paw and South Haven. Lakeview Community Hospital is located in the village of Paw Paw, delivering state-of-the-art medical and surgical specialties as well as emergency and outpatient care. South Haven Community General Hospital offers comprehensive care as well numerous specialties including rehabilitation therapies, home health care, occupational medicine, obstetrics, advanced imaging, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and a sleep disorders unit. The hospital serves residents of South Haven and Bangor but also those who live in the surrounding townships of Arlington, Bangor, Casco, Columbia, Covert, Geneva, and South Haven. Other quality options for first-rate healthcare services that are nearby include Community Hospital Watervliet, Allegen General Hospital, and the array of facilities and services under the Bronson Health and the Borgess Health systems in the Kalamazoo metro area. Skilled professionals in private practice throughout the region offer walk-in centers, family practice clinics, and specialized care.
In addition to providing quality public and private schools from preschool through high school, Van Buren County is close to a number of respected institutions of higher education. Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University are only minutes from a Van Buren County address, while the charming community of Holland is home to the campus for the private Hope College. Students of all ages can launch an affordable start on a four-year degree with college-track programs at KVCC, which also offers a wide range of associate degrees, certificates, training programs, and continuing education. Western Michigan University is one of Michigan’s largest public universities, serving nearly 25,000 students on undergraduate and graduate levels. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of ‘Teaching places WMU along the 76 top public institutions in the nation designated as research universities with high research activity, and U.S. World & News Report annually ranks WMU among the nation’s top 100 public universities. In fact, several programs have attained national recognition.
Lifestyle
Beautiful Van Buren County combines growing cities, charming villages, and a peaceful agricultural community with world-class recreational opportunities. Friends, neighbors, and visitors all converge for such colorful annual events from holiday parades to the county fair or the Wine & Harvest Festival. The area’s beaches are a focal point of activity and tourism in the warmer summer months, brimming over with sunshine over sand dunes and shimmering waves. The county offers four public beaches including Covert Township Park, Van Buren State Park, and the North and South beaches of South Haven. Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Van Buren State Park features high dunes and hundreds of modern campsites for camping, picnicking, swimming, sunbathing, horseback riding, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Winter sports and cycling are popular activities along the 14-mile Van Buren Trail or the Kal-Haven State Park Trail with 40 miles of additional scenic landscapes. Timber Ridge Ski Resort is available for those who enjoy snowboarding and downhill skiing, while golfers will find wonderful championship courses when the snow melts.
The appeal of Van Buren County is the harmonious blending of rural and neighborhood environments, from rustic villages to rolling farmland. The county is home to Michigan’s oldest and largest winery with many award-winning wines, while farmers markets deliver fresh produce and home-baked goods to local communities. From “just picked” fruit and vegetables to delights like ciders and jams, colorful markets draw enthusiastic crowds to displays brimming over with everything from blueberries to pumpkins. Those who appreciate nature will want to visit preserved sites like the Algird Barvicks Dunes Nature Sanctuary, the Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve, the North Point Conservation Area, the Ross Preserve, and the Keeler State Game Area. Some of the settings for residential development include city neighborhoods, upscale developments, beautiful seasonal homes, country manors, and spacious rural lots for enough variety to support every imaginable lifestyle. Concerts in the park, school and church events, close-knit neighborhoods, picturesque countryside, and family friend communities give Van Buren County a very special appeal.
Bangor
City Offices
269-427-5831
http://cityofbangormi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-637-5171
https://www.southhavenmi.com/
The city of Bangor welcomes new residents to a friendly community set against the backdrop of a scenic rural environment. Just a few minutes away from Lake Michigan water recreation, Bangor offers a quaint and peaceful setting at a distance from bustling urban life and traffic. Those who call Bangor home are appreciative of the small-town flavor and the luxury of knowing their neighbors as friends. Although Bangor is conveniently located between South Haven and Kalamazoo, commuters passed it by for many years. Today, Bangor welcomes families, young professionals, and retirees who are discovering the unique appeal of the community’s art, culture, and sense of place. Many artists call Bangor home. Antique malls, unique shops, and a number of popular restaurants and cafes enliven the local atmosphere. Many are interested in Bangor as a delightful and peaceful hometown where they can enjoy a lakeshore lifestyle at a lower cost than in many other waterfront communities.
Gobles
City Offices
269-628-2246
Chamber of Commerce
269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
The small city of Gobles is located in the northwestern section of the county at the junction of Van Buren Avenue and highway M-40. Agricultural in nature, Gobles serves a rural population as its educational, governmental, and commercial hub. The community is ideally situated along the Kal-Haven Trail that offers a paved path from Kalamazoo to South Haven. Gobles is also home to one of the region’s most popular wintertime destinations, Timber Ridge Ski Resort. Snowboarding, downhill skiing, and tubing are all supported by a full-service atmosphere with a lodge, ski school, and other amenities to provide family friendly outdoor adventures. The racing department features a program for every ski enthusiasts from age five through seniors. In addition to outstanding recreational opportunities, the city provides a wonderful hometown setting where school, civic, social, and church activities keep residents involved and committed to a high quality of life.
Hartford
City Offices
269-621-2477
https://www.cityofhartfordmi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
Located in the southwestern section of the county, the city of Hartford is situated along the Red Arrow Highway adjacent to Interstate 94. Benton Harbor is 15 miles to the west and Kalamazoo is 35 miles east. Although civic and residential leaders share a commitment to quality growth and development, they are equally committed to preserving the exceptional quality of life and small-town charm. This hometown community nestles in a scenic area of farms, open space, and lakes. Scenes of horses grazing or orchards brimming over with blueberries are common in this area, and many Chicago residents have built second homes or seasonal cottages in the township or near one of the lakes. The city prides itself in being a great place to live and raise a family, a community that is tied together by volunteerism and shared support for local events and activities. On Friday evenings, the local high school stadium is packed with enthusiastic fans, cheering wildly for the hometown team.
South Haven
City Offices
269-637-0700
https://www.southhavenmi.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
800-764-2836
https://www.southhaven.org/
The lovely community of South Haven along the pristine shores of Lake Michigan is recognized as one of the finest places to live and play in Michigan, or in the nation. For more than 200 years, South Haven has served as a popular resort and vacation destination that draws visitors to majestic vistas, breathtaking sunsets, outdoor recreation, boating and fishing, sandy beaches, and a strong maritime heritage. The century-old South Haven Lighthouse is one of many landmarks in this area traversed by Kal-Haven Trail State Park, where visitors and residents enjoy miles of walking, biking, skiing, and snowmobiling pleasure. Part of the area’s charm is the collection of shops, services, and attractions that have been developed to cater to tourism. From quaint bed-and-breakfast inns to terrific restaurants, wonderful wineries, great antiques, and unique shops, South Haven is a wonderful place to call home.
Village of Decatur
Village Hall
269-423-6114
https://decaturmi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
The village of Decatur invites newcomers to settle in and slow down to a more relaxed lifestyle in this wonderful residential village of beautiful parks and friendly neighbors. The quaint downtown district is lined with unique shops and popular restaurants with local owners who greet customers with a smile and a sincere welcome. Just a 30-minute drive from Kalamazoo or the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area, the village is strategically located along Interstate 94 for outstanding access to regional employment centers. Decatur is also centrally located for quick trips to expanded shopping, fine golf courses, and recreational sites. Locally, residents enjoy family friendly campgrounds, the Red Woolfe Park beach, or any one of a dozen scenic lakes surrounding the town. When the harvest season arrives, an entire afternoon can be spent visiting local U-Pick farms and orchards. From summer picnics to autumn hiking or winter sports when the snow flies, Decatur is a home for all seasons.
Village of Lawrence
Village Hall
269-674-8161
http://www.lawrencemi.org/
Chamber of Commerce
269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
The small, hometown community of Lawrence nestles in the southwestern section of the county and offers direct access to Interstate 94. The community is 25 miles east of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph area and 22 miles west of Kalamazoo. The county seat of Paw Paw is only eight miles from home. The Lawrence area is primarily an agricultural community with a picturesque landscape that encompasses several lakes. Lawrence serves as the hub for many of Van Buren County’s important functions including the Van Buren County Technology Center and the Van Buren County Conference Center. The village features a farmer’s market at the local park in season and is also home to the Lawrence Ox Roast festival each Labor Day weekend. Residents enjoy a small-town atmosphere in close proximity to urban amenities, shopping, and entertainment.
Village of Matawan
Village Hall
269-668-2128
www.mattawanmi.com
Chamber of Commerce
269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
Mattawan is located along the eastern border of Van Buren County, offering a quiet and welcoming hometown setting with easy access to Interstate 94. The local economy is supported by a strong manufacturing base, from plastics to pharmaceutical research. The fact that the larger urban center of Kalamazoo is only seven miles from Mattawan further drives the business development within this small village. The downtown district offers a charming commercial center with a shady city park and a row of unique shops and eateries. Tree-lined neighborhoods showcase many well-kept older properties and historic homes while the surrounding area features a variety of newer construction and acreage sites. Residents have the advantage of rural serenity within minutes of colleges, entertainment centers, performing arts venues, and expanded shopping in regional malls.
Village of Paw Paw
Village Hall
269-657-3148
https://www.pawpaw.net/
Chamber of Commerce
269-657-5395
https://www.pawpawchamber.com/
Nestled in the heart of the region’s “grape country,” the charming village of Paw Paw offers a lovely hometown atmosphere but also serves as a popular destination for tourists. Winery tours and tastings, interesting shopping, wonderful dining, and a warm hospitality community welcome visitors to a unique experience. Antique dealers and flea markets offer collectibles and hidden treasures for those who prefer the sport of shopping. The centerpiece of the town is beautiful Maple Lake with its outdoor amphitheater for concert and the recreational park and beach on Maple Island. The area offers fine golf courses, shimmering lakes, flowing rivers, rushing streams, and lush parks. Colorful events dot the annual calendar and draw throngs of visitors to the village, including Paw Paw Days, the Classic Car Show, the Paw Paw Christmas Parade, and the Wine & Harvest Festival. Residents enjoy easy access to larger urban areas that expand cultural, entertainment, educational, and healthcare services.
