Detroit’s DTE Energy today reported it spent $1.7 billion with Michigan businesses in 2018, creating and sustaining more than 8,000 jobs and exceeding its in-state spending goal by $800,000.
“We prioritize partnerships with in-state suppliers, and we encourage others to do the same,” says Tony Tomczak, chief procurement officer for DTE. “DTE’s commitment gives Michigan’s hard-working business owners new opportunities to succeed, expands the local economy, and builds stronger communities.”
The company bought $1.3 billion in goods and services from 1,261 companies in metro Detroit and southeast Michigan, generating and supporting 6,000 jobs. Of this, 40 percent of the spending was sourced from Detroit companies.
DTE spent $66 million with 215 companies in west Michigan, creating and sustaining more than 300 jobs.
In northeast and northwest Michigan, DTE invested $38 million with 176 companies, estimating a positive impact to nearly 180 jobs.
DTE partnered with more than 450 companies in south Michigan, spending $182 million and adding or maintaining nearly 850 jobs.
The company invested $41 million with more than 150 companies in central Michigan, creating and sustaining 190 jobs.
In the thumb region, DTE spent $93 million with 250 companies, positively impacting more than an estimated 400 jobs.
Finally, in the Upper Peninsula, DTE partnered with 53 businesses, spending $12 million and generating and supporting nearly 60 jobs.
The company has spent more than $9.2 billion with Michigan-based suppliers of goods and services since 2010, creating 24,000 jobs. It is a founding member of Pure Michigan Business Connect, a public-private initiative that encourages companies to buy from Michigan vendors and connects local companies with in-state business opportunities.
W-3 Construction in Detroit helps to build new substations for DTE.
“We’ve been in Detroit for more than 30 years and established a track record of delivering high-quality, cost-competitive services to DTE,” says Linda Turner, client relations manager for W-3. “The increased business from DTE has fueled our growth, allowing us to bring on additional full-time Michigan workers and hire more local skilled laborers for projects.”
Last year, DTE spent $472 million with certified diverse suppliers.
“We seek out Michigan companies to ensure they’re aware of upcoming bid opportunities and are ready to partner with us or with our largest suppliers,” says Tomczak. “We meet local business owners where they are and connect them with new business opportunities.”
DTE provides electricity to 2.2 million customers in southeast Michigan and natural gas to 1.3 million customers in Michigan.
