Michigan Firms Adding Jobs, Equipment as Consumers Energy's Promise to Increase Spending in the State Nears $1 Billion

Bay City's Dependable Sewer & Plumbing Adds 20 Employees, 8 Vehicles

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Mar 16, 2015, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As Consumers Energy nears achieving its promise to increase its spending in Michigan by $1 billion, more than 370 companies have benefited from contracts, creating about 5,000 jobs and touching virtually every part of the Lower Peninsula.

"We're keeping our promise to Michigan. As we get closer to reaching our $1 billion commitment to Pure Michigan Business Connect we're also thrilled that many companies we're working with have implemented their own 'Michigan-first' purchasing policies. That's driving up employment and economic vitality in our state," said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of energy resources.

Bay City-based Dependable Sewer & Plumbing Service is a homegrown example of a company that's benefited from Consumers Energy's increased commitment to Michigan.

"The Michigan business contract with Consumers Energy helped us to reinvest in our company and hire more than 20 employees and add about eight vehicles to our fleet," said owner Susan Foco. "We work with Consumers Energy across the state to locate sewer lines and use high pressure water and vacuum in tight places to bore holes for underground natural gas pipelines and electric lines. As a member of the Cross Bore Safety Association, this work to protect public safety is a great fit."

"Consumers Energy's increased support for Michigan businesses is making a positive difference to communities and strengthening local businesses. Good things happen when Michigan businesses support each other," said Steve Arwood, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

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.

Consumers Energy increased to $1 billion its total commitment to purchase Michigan-made goods and services over five years, from 2011-2016. To-date the Company has accomplished more than $975 million of this commitment. The company's Pure Michigan commitment is in addition to the more than $2 billion annually it spends in the state to improve customer service, upgrade electric and natural gas delivery, protect and improve Michigan's natural environment, and to provide energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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

GROWING COMPANY: Bay City-based Dependable Sewer & Plumbing Service has added jobs and vehicles as part of Pure Michigan Business Connect, www.dependablesewer.com/index.html

SUPPLIER SUMMIT: On April 16, 2015 Consumers Energy, the MEDC and various companies will host a "Pay It Forward" supplier summit in downtown Grand Rapids at Grand Valley State University.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy