Flint’s economy to be supported by free business connection opportunities

Pure Michigan Business Connect sign up event March 31 in Flint

LANSING, Mich. – Using a proven model that has worked across the state in connecting buyers to suppliers of Michigan goods and services, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation has created an innovative web-based platform to allow companies with purchasing needs to connect with Flint and Genesee County suppliers.

The Pure Michigan Business Connect website is a free resource that links Michigan companies with procurement or sales opportunities. By creating a profile on the site and entering their purchasing requests, companies will be connected directly to hundreds of searchable Flint supplier profiles, with goods and services ranging from accounting to plastics manufacturing.

“This is one of many steps we are taking to support the economic rebirth of Flint,” said MEDC Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood. “There are businesses looking to invest in Flint. This online network expedites those connections. Pure Michigan Business Connect has had a profound impact around the state, and we believe it will be a powerful resource to build Flint’s economy.”

Flint- and Genesee County-based suppliers not currently enrolled can create a free profile in the database, giving them instant access to opportunities to expand their supply chain with more than 200 global purchasers as well as world-class purchasers from all over the state of Michigan. 

Registered suppliers also will gain access to donated or reduced-cost services including legal, accounting, web development, graphic design, export assistance, human resources, and small business operations and planning.

The Pure Michigan Business Connect portal is available on the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce website at this link: http://b2b.flintandgenesee.org/.

A free informational session on how to access the Pure Michigan Business Connect portal will be held March 31, from 8 to 9 a.m., at the Oak Business Center, 2712 N. Saginaw St. in Flint. The session is hosted by the MEDC, the Michigan Small Business Development Center and the Flint & Genesee Chamber. Advance registration is requested. Sign up is available at www.flintandgenesee.org/events/pure-michigan-business-connect-information-session/.

“Access creates opportunities,” said Tim Herman, CEO of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “Through this portal, businesses in Flint and Genesee County have a great way to broaden their customer base, identify new markets for their products and services, and elevate their brands.”

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. 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 http://www.michiganbusiness.org/pmbc/.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.