East Michigan Benefiting from Consumers Energy Investments

FLINT, Mich., June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Eastern Michigan counties are benefiting from more than $23- million in increased spending in the past two years by Consumers Energy as part of the Pure Michigan Business Connect initiative. 

"Consumers Energy has increased by $235 million the amount of spending we do with companies in Genesee, Lapeer, Oakland, Saginaw and Tuscola counties as part of our commitment to Pure Michigan Business Connect," said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy's senior vice president, distribution operations & engineering and transmission.

In these five counties Consumers Energy has extended 275 purchase orders to 59 business suppliers in 22 cities or towns as part of its commitment to supporting the Pure Michigan campaign.

"As we review ongoing service and equipment needs for our statewide operations, we will continue to carefully consider the outstanding workmanship offered by many East Michigan businesses," Malone said. "This investment is creating hundreds of jobs and complements our major support for area universities and grants to non-profit agencies, which also strengthens East Michigan's economy."

"Consumers Energy's increased support for East Michigan businesses is helping to grow the economy and put people to work," said Mike Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).  "Consumers Energy helped build the foundation for Pure Michigan Business Connect and we commend the company for its commitment to growing its business with Michigan suppliers."

"Consumers Energy is to be applauded for bringing this learning opportunity to Flint and Genesee County and I encourage every business leader to attend.  Strengthening our regional supply chain is the easiest way to create local jobs and keep our money circulating right here at home," said City of Flint Mayor Dayne Walling.

Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the MEDC, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources.

Consumers Energy has increased to $1 billion its total commitment to purchase Michigan-made goods and services over five years, from 2011-2016.  To-date the Company has accomplished $790 million of this commitment. 

The company's Pure Michigan commitment is in addition to the $2.4 billion annually it spends in the state. These investments are in customer service, electric and natural gas operations, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Companies interested in learning more about Pure Michigan Business Connect are encouraged to visit the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's website, www.michiganadvantage.org/Business-Connect or Consumers Energy at www.consumersenergy.com/puremichigan

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichiganand follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy

Supplier summits

Consumers Energy will hold a Pure Michigan Business Connect supplier summit at the Flint Holiday Inn - Gateway on July 30 with a special focus on minority and woman-owned businesses. The company is also supporting a Business Leaders for Michigan supplier summit.

SOURCE Consumers Energy