DTE Energy invested $2.2 billion with Michigan businesses in 2021, creating and sustaining more than 10,000 jobs across the state.
DTE has spent nearly $16 billion with Michigan-based vendors since 2010, creating and sustaining 54,000 Michigan jobs. The company invests five times more with local businesses than it did a decade ago.
In addition to Michigan investment, at the same time, DTE is increasing spending with suppliers owned by women, minorities, veterans, and members of the LGBT community. Recently, the company also expanded its diverse supplier outreach to include disability-owned businesses. In 2021, DTE spent more than $747 million with certified diverse suppliers and $821 million with businesses located in Detroit.
“Doing business in the communities we serve helps Michigan companies grow and puts people to work,” said Jaspreet Singh, Corporate Services vice president. “We’re committed to improving people’s lives with our energy. That fuels our passion for giving local and diverse suppliers new opportunities to succeed.”
DTE partners with businesses throughout Michigan:
- Southeast Michigan and Metro Detroit: DTE bought $1.7 billion in goods and services from more than 1,200 companies, generating and supporting nearly 7,800 jobs. Nearly half – $821 million – was sourced from companies based in Detroit.
- West Michigan: DTE spent $97 million with 200 companies, creating and sustaining nearly 450 jobs.
- Northeast and Northwest Michigan: DTE invested $17 million with nearly 144 companies, positively impacting about 70 jobs.
- South Michigan: DTE partnered with more than 300 companies, spending $222 million and adding or maintaining about 1,000 jobs.
- Central Michigan: DTE invested $46 million with more than 90 companies, creating and sustaining about 200 jobs.
- Thumb Region: DTE spent $103 million with nearly 130 companies, positively impacting about 475 jobs.
- Upper Peninsula: DTE partnered with more than 40 businesses, spending $10 million and generating and supporting 45 jobs.
DTE is a founding member of Pure Michigan Business Connect, a public-private initiative that encourages businesses to buy from Michigan vendors and connects local companies with in-state opportunities. DTE requires that all new contract bids include at least two Michigan companies.
For Allendale-based Elite Pipeline, the relationship with DTE generates business growth and enables many employees to spend more time with their families. Elite’s technicians use technical camera equipment to ensure sewer lines are accurately mapped in advance of DTE natural gas pipeline upgrade projects.
According to Project Manager James Holbert, the company hired additional staff and purchased specialized pipe-inspection cameras because of their work with DTE.
“Elite has a reputation for safety excellence,” he said. “Our people feel comfortable partnering with DTE because we know safety is their first priority too. We have customers all over the country, but our technicians are immensely grateful for local work that keeps them in their communities so they can return home to their families each night.”
In 2021, DTE captured 10 industry-wide supplier diversity achievement awards, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council Class II Corporation of the Year. DTE has earned more than 40 supplier diversity industry awards since 2018.
“We believe we’re at our best when our suppliers reflect the diversity of our customer base,” said Singh. “That’s why we seek out diverse small and medium businesses and connect them with new growth opportunities. We’ve replicated this success over and over again to generate thousands of jobs across our state.”
Michigan companies interested in learning about bid opportunities at DTE can find more information at dteenergy.com/supplychain.