May 2025
Garezers Latvian Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
We had the honor of joining the Garezers Latvian Center community in Three Rivers, Michigan, to celebrate the dedication of their brand-new multi-purpose building, “Bērzi.” It was an exciting and meaningful moment—not just for the camp, but for everyone who’s been part of the journey to bring this project to life.
The event was full of energy and emotion as community members, supporters, and key stakeholders came together to mark the occasion. The “Bērzi” building plays an important role in Garezers’ long-term Master Plan for sustainable growth, and it was clear that this project means a lot to so many people.
Several speakers shared heartfelt messages about the vision, teamwork, and dedication that made this building possible. One of the most moving parts of the day was a prayer led by community leaders, asking for blessings over the new space and sharing hopes for continued connection and cultural enrichment for the Garezers community. It was a beautiful reminder of the deeper purpose behind the project.
We’re incredibly proud to have served as the construction manager on this meaningful build. “Bērzi” is more than just a building—it’s a space that will support education, arts, and community for years to come. We’re grateful to be a small part of the legacy Garezers is building for future generations.
Mattawan Consolidated Schools Bond Construction Progress
The team is making great progress on Mattawan Consolidated Schools’ 2024 bond projects! Work on the stadium kicked off in March, including new synthetic turf, an updated track surface, reworked field event areas, upgraded fencing, and expanded bleachers to make room for the band. This first phase is on track to wrap up before the first home football game this fall—and came in nearly $1 million under budget.
Next up: improvements to the baseball and softball fields (including new fencing, infield work, and batting cages), upgrades to traffic flow and parking in front of the middle and high schools, and the start of design work for a new transportation and maintenance facility. Fire alarm system replacements are also on the list for summer 2025.
Plenty more to come, and we’re proud to help bring these improvements to life for the Mattawan community.
Testimonial Spotlight
MSBO Conference 2025
This month, we had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Conference in Grand Rapids. It was a great opportunity to connect with school leaders from across the state—both familiar faces and new ones—and talk about how thoughtful construction can support educational goals.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello! We also want to give a special congratulations to Gail from Edwardsburg Public Schools, the lucky winner of our $500 door prize for her district.
We’re proud to support Michigan’s schools and look forward to continuing the conversation on how we can help create learning environments where students and communities thrive.
Construction Safety Week Pizza Party
What better way to celebrate keeping our jobsites safe than to send pizzas to all of our active projects!
At AVB, we take safety very seriously and have been committed to maintaining safe job sites from the very beginning. With an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) of 0.36, we’re proud to demonstrate that commitment with real results.
An EMR is a number used by insurance companies to gauge the past cost of injuries and future chances of risk. It’s a benchmark for safety performance in the construction industry, and the lower the number, the better. A rating of 1.0 is considered the industry average—so our 0.36 score reflects a track record of prioritizing safe practices, minimizing risks, and taking care of our team.
What’s in a Name? The Story Behind AVB
Ever wonder what AVB stands for? Today, it’s a refined, contemporary acronym that reflects innovation, craftsmanship, and a commitment to quality. AVB is as grounded as the developments, businesses, and schools we help bring to life.
AVB originally stood for American Village Builders—a name that captured our early mission to create vibrant, welcoming communities across Southwest Michigan. From day one, we weren’t just constructing buildings; we were helping shape the places where people live, grow, and thrive.
“It’s a big add to the social fabric of our community. That’s what’s fun. That’s the favorite stuff. We call it ‘psychic income’ (the feeling we get when we arrive at one of our projects or developments). Long after the profit is gone, the real reward is hearing people talk about how great it is to live there, shop there, or work there. That’s what we look for.”
— Joe Gesmundo, Founding Partner
As we evolved, we adopted new technologies, enhanced our processes, and broadened our reach. But through it all, our passion stayed the same: to create meaningful places to live, work, and learn.
Though we eventually shortened the name, we kept the initials—AVB—as a tribute to our roots and a lasting symbol of our dedication to building community with purpose.
From American Village Builders to AVB—three letters, one powerful story.
AVB Open Positions
We are actively searching for a new Superintendent, New Home Consultant, Framing Carpenter, Construction Assistant, and Residential Group President who shares our passion, niche, and core values. We offer a vibrant company culture, competitive pay, and the best team players in town!
Thank you for your help spreading the word to your network and community!
