Mayor Duggan, DEGC target $1 billion in Detroit-to-Detroit business spending

mayor-duggan_opt1Mayor Mike Duggan announced that Detroit Economic Growth Corporation’s D2D program has set a target of $1 billion in Detroit-to-Detroit spending by its 18-member Buyers Council as it opened the 2016 D2D Matchmaking Opportunity Event at the Greektown Casino Hotel.

In 2014 the D2D Buyers Council purchased $925 million in products and services from other Detroit-based businesses. Results for 2015 are not yet available, but D2D projects that Detroit-based purchases could hit the $1 billion mark by the end of 2016.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said, “That $1 billion figure shows the value that Detroit’s anchor institutions have found in other Detroit companies. They are buying local because it makes good business sense. There are terrific companies represented at this event, and that’s why the City of Detroit is here. We brought more than $20 million in City bidding opportunities with us, and we just might identify qualified suppliers for some of those right here.”

During the event, companies participated in more than 200 “speed-dating”-style interviews with 11 large purchasing institutions, including the City of Detroit. On the table were 200 bidding opportunities that buyers will be offering over the next year. President and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) Rodrick T. Miller said, “Relationships count in business, and this D2D event gives small companies a chance to make direct, face-to-face contact with buyers from big purchasing organizations, and to learn first-hand what those buyers require from their suppliers.”

The Matchmaking Opportunity Event addresses a second obstacle of small businesses – finding technical assistance and financial resources to grow — by providing direct access to 19 organizations that offer that help. D2D Program Director Brian Watkins said, “Business comes to companies that have the capacity, internal systems and necessary certifications to meet the requirements of large purchasing organizations. D2D tries to connect Detroit businesses to the resources they need to become what we call ‘Buyer Ready.’”

In all, close to 300 people participated in the event. Among them was Gregory B. O’Neal, president of O’Neal Contracting Group, LLC, who said, “Last year’s event gave me the jump pad that I needed to launch as a small Detroit business. I was able to connect with Barbat Holdings and Eagle Construction Service, Inc. We are now in the midst of two collaborative projects with them. I am proud to participate and be a part of the D2D program.”

Henry Ford Health System Supplier Diversity Coordinator Sylvia L. Daniels said, “A healthy local economy is good for the health of the people who live here, so we strategically work to identify and utilize Detroit-based businesses that can bring value to our organization.”

Business owners who want to participate in D2D programs can start by visiting https://d2dbusiness.org and following the “Join D2D” link on the home page. Information about becoming a Detroit Certified Business can be found by following the Selling link on the D2D home page, or visiting https://www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/Find/Human-Rights-Forms.

D2D is funded by the New Economy Initiative of Southeastern Michigan, a $140 million philanthropic effort to help make thousands of ideas the next economic engine by getting entrepreneurs and small businesses what they need, when they need it, in order to succeed and grow.

Buying organizations that conducted interviews with potential suppliers included: City of Detroit, Comerica Bank, Compuware, DMC, Detroit Tigers, Ford Field, Greektown Casino, Henry Ford Health System, Lowe Campbell Ewald, Quicken Loans, and Wayne State University.

Most of the purchasers are members of the D2D Buyers Council, which consists of 18 organizations: Bedrock Real Estate Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Comerica Inc., Compuware, Crain Communications, DMC, DTE Energy, Ernst & Young, Ford Field, Greektown Casino Hotel, Henry Ford Health System, Lowe Campbell Ewald, Quicken Loans, Skidmore Studio, Strategic Staffing Solutions, University of Detroit Mercy, Urban Science, and Wayne State University.

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