DTE Energy invests in West Michigan businesses through the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative

With a successful implementation of the Pure Michigan Connect Initiative in 2014, DTE Energy will be holding its Tri-Annual Leadership Summit next week in Grand Rapids to showcase the great work that is being done operationally in West Michigan and beyond.

"DTE Energy is proud to be a strong partner of the communities and companies that we serve throughout West Michigan," says Dave Meador, Chief Administrative Officer for DTE Energy, whose top 125 leaders will be in Grand Rapids July 16-18 for the company's Tri-Annual Leadership Summit. "DTE's ongoing efforts to increase procurement with Michigan companies continue to produce jobs and economic development throughout Kent, Osceola, Ottawa and other counties across the western part of the state. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. estimates that DTE Energy's ongoing procurement with Michigan companies supports more than 5,000 jobs across the state."

Through the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative, DTE Energy spent more than $200 million with Michigan companies during the first three months of the year as part of its commitment to supporting in-state businesses through the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative.

Of the $200 million, nearly $65 million was spent with suppliers from West Michigan. Among the businesses benefiting from the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative are the Reed City-based Utility Supply and Construction (USC) and The Hydaker-Wheatlake Company, Kalamazoo-based Heco and Knight Watch, Kalkaska-based PJ Supply, and Kent City-based Kent Power.

The Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative is part of an $8 billion public-private program announced by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference in 2011. Administered through an alliance with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the program helps companies find new ways to raise capital, get access to a variety of business services, and provides business-to-business procurement opportunities to help grow and create jobs.

DTE Energy is a Detroit-based energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com and facebook.com/dteenergy.

Support for this story was provided by DTE Energy and the Pure Michigan Business Connect Initiative.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor