West Michigan Business Is Ready For Its Closeup
On Monday morning I appeared as a guest on a popular local morning television show. It’s a “magazine” format show called eightWest on WOOD-TV Channel 8, here in West Michigan.
Two other guests joined me on the show. One was Dan Malone from Consumer’s Energy. The other was Tim Mraz from The Right Place organization. The Right Place is committed to attracting businesses and encouraging their success in West Michigan.
The program focused on a beneficial collaboration, between the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Pure Michigan, called Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC). It helps local small and mid-sized business to make connections with other businesses that will help them grow.
Fact: many large local companies have millions of dollars to award annually in contracts for services, raw materials and more. However, they often don’t realize that there are extremely capable local companies that are qualified and eager to fulfill those contacts.
“Speed Dating” for Success
How does PMBC manage to get these parties together? Well, one excellent example is taking place today. Perhaps as you read this, we are taking part in the West Michigan Procurement Summit at DeVos Place Convention Center. It reflects the efforts of a partnership including PMBC, Lakeshore Advantage, the Right Place, and Consumer’s Energy.
Consumer’s Energy is a major force behind the staging of the event. It’s one of 18 companies attending and bringing sourcing needs and lucrative contracts ready to award to qualified suppliers.
The event is, as one of my fellow guests termed it, a kind of “speed dating.” Companies interview potential suppliers that could become a valued part of their supply chains. It’s a wonderful opportunity.
We and all local companies are grateful for the generous, community-building support provided by Consumer’s Energy for the program.
