Michigan launches public-private partnership with DTE Energy and Consumers Energy to boost manufacturing and support good-paying jobs

• DTE Energy and Consumers Energy commit to leveraging purchasing power to support and grow Michigan manufacturers and clean energy startups 
• Community & Worker Economic Transition Office launches MI Hub for Manufacturing with support from philanthropy  
• Michigan is a top 10 state for clean energy jobs, leads the nation for total jobs in advanced materials and has the fastest-growing workforce for energy-efficient HVAC and renewable heating and cooling 

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Community & Worker Economic Transition Office announced a public-private partnership designed to create and retain good-paying jobs, support Michigan manufacturers and strengthen the state’s position as a global leader in the energy supply chain at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference. 

DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have committed a combined $3.5 billion annually — $2 billion from DTE and $1.5 billion from Consumers Energy — to purchase technology, equipment and services from Michigan-based businesses. This historic commitment is focused on strengthening local supply chains for critical energy infrastructure, such as transformers, and next-generation technologies, including solar components and long-duration energy storage systems.  

"Michigan is paving the way growing our economy and meeting our ambitious energy goals,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today, we’re launching new resources designed to support our manufacturers and help them create and retain good-paying jobs while building strong, resilient energy supply chains right here in Michigan. This partnership will position our manufacturers to lead in the clean energy future, keeping production local and ensure that Michigan remains a hub of innovation and industry. Let’s keep working hard to make a difference and build a Michigan where everyone can thrive.” 

“DTE has a long history of partnering with Michigan businesses to keep our spending local, and we’re proud to build on that history by committing to spend $2 billion annually with Michigan suppliers,” said Trevor Lauer, vice chairman and group president, DTE Energy. “Focusing on keeping our spending in-state has a transformative impact on the Michigan economy, allowing businesses to grow and creating thousands of jobs, while also helping DTE to build an agile supply chain that allows us to deliver the services our customers demand and deserve.”

To help manufacturers and clean energy startups retool their facilities and retain their workers to support new work coming in from utilities like DTE and Consumers Energy, the Transition Office is also launching the MI Hub for Manufacturers. With $1.5 million in support from philanthropy and a partnership with Next Street, a national small business and supplier solutions company, this dynamic, interactive online platform will connect small and mid-sized manufactures to public, private and non-profit resources. The platform will publish funding opportunities, connect businesses to expert advisors and capital products, provide on-demand digital learning tools and host partner resources that can help suppliers diversify and grow to enter new supply chains.