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Consumers Energy has achieved its promise to increase its
spending with other Michigan businesses by $1 billion over the past four years.
The energy provider’s announcement came on April 16 at the
Pure Michigan Business Connect-Consumers Energy Pay it Forward Summit in
downtown Grand Rapids. Muskegon-based Newkirk Electric received the contract
that took Consumers Energy over the $1 billion mark.
“We’ve kept our promise to Michigan by increasing our ‘home
state’ spending with other businesses by $1 billion over the past four years,
one year ahead of plan,” said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy’s senior vice
president of energy resources.
Nearly 400 companies throughout Michigan have benefited from contracts
awarded by Consumers Energy through Pure Michigan Business Connect. As part of
its “Pay it Forward” program the company encourages its Michigan-based
suppliers to utilize sub-contractors and suppliers based in the state to help
stimulate further job gains and economic growth in the state of Michigan.
“When Michigan was recovering from the recession, Consumers
Energy stood up and made a difference. We applaud this remarkable achievement.
More people are working in our state today because of Pure Michigan Business
Connect and supporters like Consumers Energy and major suppliers,” said
Michigan Economic Development Corporation Chief Executive Officer Steve Arwood.
Seven companies were recognized at the summit for doing work
with Consumers Energy while “paying it forward” by hiring Michigan
subcontractors: Newkirk Electric (Muskegon); Northern Boiler (Muskegon);
Pumford Construction (Saginaw); Monarch Welding (Bay City); Barton Malow
Company (Southfield); Ideal Contracting LLC (Detroit); and CSM Group Inc.
(Kalamazoo).
 Tom Anton (third from left) of Newkirk
Electric holds his "Pay it Forward" recognition plaque at the Pure Michigan Business Connect-Consumers Energy Pay it Forward Summit. Also pictured from left to right are State Representative Holly Hughes (R-Muskegon); Dan Malone,
Consumers Energy Senior Vice President of Energy Resources; and State Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Muskegon).
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. Consumers Energy was one of the original participants in the
initiative.
To read an MLive story
on the announcement, visit here.
For the Consumers Energy press release, visit here.
To learn more about the Pure Michigan Business Connect program, visit here.
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