Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan business executives today unveiled a $3 billion public-private initiative to increase purchasing from Michigan companies, help businesses access additional capital and obtain other assistance. The Pure Michigan Business Connect encompasses new commitments and existing programs and is part of the state\'s \"economic gardening\" drive to help existing Michigan businesses grow and create jobs. The effort includes a $500 million commitment by the state\'s two largest energy companies to buy more goods and services from Michigan-based suppliers. Michigan Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Michael Finney said virtually every department in state government is on board to \"buy more Michigan.\" He said the purchasing element of the initiative is modeled after the Midtown Development Initiative in Detroit. In Midtown, three anchor institutions - Henry Ford Health System, Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center - joined forces to expand the level of spending with Detroit-based businesses.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110602/FREE/110609962#
http://www.detnews.com/article/20110603/BIZ/106030364/1001