Consumers Energy bolsters purchasing network with Michigan-based suppliers

Consumers Energy will spend $250 million with small businesses over the next two years.

Citing the need to further build a connection between Michigan-based purchasers and suppliers, Consumers Energy will spend $250 million with small businesses in the state over the next two years.

"Small businesses are the engine that fuels our economy," said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of engineering. "By purchasing their goods and services we can meet our procurement needs while supporting the growth of Michigan small businesses, that's a win for us and the state."

Consumers Energy’s commitment to spend $250 million with small businesses was announced at Wednesday’s Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and Small Business Association of Michigan matchmaking summit at Cobo Center in Detroit. 

In 2015, Consumers Energy pledged to spend $1 billion a year with Michigan businesses for five years. The company has exceeded that goal, spending $2.9 billion with Michigan businesses since June 2015. 

In addition to Consumers Energy, the matching summit features 26 purchasing representatives from Michigan companies, including DTE Energy, Absopure, Blue Cross Blue Shields, Comerica Bank, along with buyers from academia, agriculture, automotive and aerospace, furniture, municipal government, sports and entertainment.

“PMBC summits like this are incredibly valuable opportunities for Michigan’s small businesses to gain access to larger buyers they might not otherwise have access to,” said Jeff Mason, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We commend all of the participating companies for joining this event and for their commitment to growing Michigan jobs and improving our economy.”

Since its inception, PMBC summits have resulted in more than $5.4 billion in facilitated contracts for Michigan businesses, more than 25,000 Michigan jobs created or retained by PMBC, and more than 330 global purchasers working with PMBC.

A program administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, PMBC was launched in 2011 with the aim to assist Michigan businesses to support other Michigan businesses through procurement/purchasing initiatives and business support services. PMBC was launched with commitments from Consumers Energy and DTE Energy who both pledged to increase their annual supply chain spend with Michigan-based suppliers year over year.

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