Consumers Energy Doubles To $500 Million Its Commitment To Pure Michigan Business Connect; Program Is Putting People To Work

News provided by

Sep 13, 2012, 01:15 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced today that Consumers Energy has doubled – to $500 million – its commitment to Pure Michigan Business Connect, a key initiative putting people back to work in Michigan.

The announcement took place at the West Michigan Policy Forum and it featured business owners of several west Michigan companies putting employees to work through contracts awarded by Consumers Energy under this program.

"As a Michigan company with a 125-year history, we are proud to be part of Governor Snyder's Pure Michigan Business Connect initiative. Our promise to Michigan includes serving our customers and doing what we can to enhance jobs and the business climate of our state," said John Russell, president and chief executive officer for Consumers Energy. "Through this program we're purchasing quality Michigan-made goods and services at a competitive price."

Consumers Energy was one of the first companies to sign up for this "Michigan first" initiative and initially committed to increasing its spend in the state by $250 million.

The utility has awarded 383 contracts to-date to Michigan companies through this initiative, including several west Michigan companies:

BP&R Engineering Inc. in Holland, which is providing construction management for clean air equipment installation at Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell Complex, as well as project management for the utility's Ray natural gas compressor station in Macomb County.

"In today's sluggish economy, this program has allowed us to retain and hire people to work, either directly or indirectly, at many Consumers Energy locations throughout the Lower Peninsula. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to compete for this work. It's great to see strong priority placed on growing our home state economy," said Don Knottnerus, Partner with BP&R Engineering & Construction, Inc.

Grant Tower, Inc., based in Grant, a tower erection/maintenance company. Grant Tower received a contract to install a meteorological (MET) tower for Consumers Energy's Cross Winds Energy Park, in the early stages of development in Tuscola County.

"Grant Tower appreciates Consumers Energy's commitment to Michigan and Michigan- based contractors. Michigan's economy has suffered the last few years and this project was a tremendous boost to our company and two Michigan-based subcontractors that were part of this," said Terry L. Sharp, Jr., president Grant Tower.

Elmer's Crane and Dozer, Inc. in Traverse City, which provided cement from its Ludington facility for 56 wind-turbine foundations for Consumers Energy's Lake Winds Energy Park in Mason County.
EarthTronics in Muskegon, which supports the utility's Energy Operations Energy Savings Solutions Program and distributes compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs).

Consumers Energy's commitment to increase its business contracts with Michigan is in addition to the $2 billion annually it now spends in the state. These investments are in customer service, electric and natural gas operations, energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Companies interested in learning more about Pure Michigan Business Connect are encouraged to visit the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's website, www.michiganadvantage.org/Business-Connect or Consumers Energy at www.consumersenergy.com/puremichigan

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information regarding Consumers Energy, visit us at: www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan

SOURCE Consumers Energy