Pure Michigan Utility Summit Highlights Consumers Energy's Commitment to Putting Michigan to Work

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy today highlighted its $5 billion commitment to Michigan businesses, taking part in a first-of-its-kind event in Kalamazoo that connects the state's two largest energy providers with Michigan-based suppliers.

Consumers Energy has spent nearly $13 million with Kalamazoo-area businesses in the last year and laid the groundwork to do more today by taking part in the Pure Michigan Utility Summit. The event with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., DTE Energy and others connects the energy providers with companies that it may use.

"We are excited to do our part to fuel Michigan's economy and are committed to giving contracts to employers that put Michigan residents to work," said Dan Malone, Consumers Energy's senior vice president of energy resources. "Events like this help us make important new connections and allow us to make investments that help ensure our customers receive energy reliably and affordably."

Consumers Energy has pledged to spend $5 billion over five years with Michigan businesses, creating some 5,000 jobs per year statewide. In addition, Consumers Energy actively encourages its Michigan-based suppliers to use sub-contractors and suppliers based in the state through its "Pay It Forward" program to help stimulate more economic growth.

Consumers Energy has held nine Pure Michigan Business Connect summits with over 1,000 suppliers attending and has a 16 percent success rate in awarding new business to those suppliers, with many others getting the opportunity to bid on our requirements. Overall since 2011, 1,000 new suppliers are now doing business with Consumers Energy.

"It is a great feeling to work with Consumers Energy and have them on your side," said T.R. Cagney, vice president of Michigan sales for Kalamazoo-based equipment dealer Carleton Equipment, which has grown to six locations with help from contracts with Consumers Energy.

"The people you need to deal with at Consumers Energy are very accessible and knowledgeable. The employees are better trained and know their job more than anyone else I have had to deal with in my 35 years in the business."

Consumers Energy was one of the founding members of Pure Michigan Business Connect. The public-private alliance of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., state agencies and major Michigan employers works to connect in-state companies to business resources.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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

LEARN MORE: Learn about Consumers Energy's commitment to Michigan businesses: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/puremichigan  

PMBC: Learn more about Pure Michigan Business Connect: www.michiganbusiness.org/grow/pure-michigan-business-connect/

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

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