DTE Energy and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect program partnered on an invitation-only matchmaking initiative that brought together more than 250 Michigan suppliers with buyers from DTE Energy. The event took place today at Ford Field in Detroit.
“DTE Energy helped build the foundation for Pure Michigan Business Connect by opening the door to millions of dollars per year in opportunities for other Michigan businesses,” said MEDC Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “We commend DTE for partnering on this event and for continuing its commitment to growing jobs and improving Michigan’s economy.”
Today’s matchmaking summit gave Michigan companies access to procurement opportunities with DTE Energy as well as resources to help them grow their business in the state. DTE provided procurement needs in the areas of telecommunications, information technology, fleet, energy optimization, renewables, facilities and more. Businesses from around the state applied and were invited to attend pre-arranged, one-on-one purchaser-supplier meetings at the summit.
DTE committed to the Pure Michigan Business Connect program in 2011 as one of the original partners. In 2015, DTE spent $945 million with Michigan-based suppliers and has increased its commitment to invest $5 billion over the next five years, which represents $500 million annually in new supplier contracts – an increase of more than 200 percent since first joining the program.
“DTE Energy is helping local businesses grow, while bringing new businesses to Michigan to strengthen the vitality of our communities and support economic success and growth throughout the state,” said Tony Tomczak, executive director and Chief Procurement Officer, DTE Energy. “DTE is proud to be a job creator and a reliable corporate citizen. This commitment is one we will sustain and continue to grow for the foreseeable future.”
Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources. Companies can find new ways to raise capital, get access to professional business services at little or no cost, connect with each other through a new business-to-business network, and identify potential supplier opportunities, while developing resources to improve their supply chains.
It is estimated that since Pure Michigan Business Connect launched, the program has facilitated more than $2.7 billion in revenue for Michigan companies, which translates into approximately 13,600 jobs for Michigan residents. For more information on Pure Michigan Business Connect, visit https://www.puremichiganb2b.com/b2b-web/#dashboard.
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