Pure Michigan Business Connect Putting People to Work

FLINT, Mich., July 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Michigan Business Connect is putting people to work. 

Consumers Energy has awarded purchase orders to more than 170 new Michigan-based suppliers primarily as a result of Pure Michigan Business Connect. That's in addition to the company's existing network of 3,100 suppliers in the state.

"This program is working and it's putting people to work," said Dan Malone, the company's senior vice president of distribution, operations & engineering and transmission, at today's Pure Michigan Business Connect supplier summit in Flint. "With our commitment to increase by $1 billion our purchase of Michigan goods and services over 5 years, Consumers Energy is proud to be helping other businesses put people back on the payroll. Our primary economic development strategy is focused on Michigan and helping our customers grow their businesses."

Today's summit included participation by more than 100 Michigan companies that sent a representative to discuss their products and services with a Consumers Energy supply chain representative.

The summit focused on women and minority business leaders, representing one-half of participants. Welcoming comments were provided by Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, and presentations included Louis Green, President and CEO of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council.

Pure Michigan Business Connect success stories from the Flint area include: 

• Knapheide Truck Equipment Co., which provides final stage up fitting of Consumers Energy's new vehicle fleet.
• Carleton Equipment, which sells and services construction equipment.

"While Pure Michigan Business Connect is having a big statewide impact, it's also helping specific parts of the state.  For example, in eastern Michigan Consumers Energy has increased its spending by more than $240 million as part of this program. That's helping this region and it's helping Michigan," said Mike Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).  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.

"The hard-working men and women in the Genesee County area deserve an opportunity to put their skills to work.  I applaud this effort by the MEDC and Consumers Energy to encourage Michigan businesses and workers to support other Michigan businesses and workers," said state Sen. Jim Ananich (D-Genesee County).  

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 $882 million of this commitment. The company's Pure Michigan commitment is in addition to the $2.4 billion annually that Consumers Energy spends in the state.  These investments are in customer service, electric and natural gas operations, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship. 

The company is also supporting a Business Leaders for Michigan supplier summit in October.

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.

Supplier summits

LEARN MORE: Companies interested in learning more about Pure Michigan Business Connect can visit the Michigan Economic Development Corporation at www.michiganadvantage.org/Business-Connect or Consumers Energy at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/puremichigan.

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

SOURCE Consumers Energy