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Pure Michigan Agriculture Summit Connects Food and Agriculture Businesses

Agency: Agriculture and Rural Development

March 26, 2014

Media Contacts: Jennifer Holton, MDARD, holtonj@michigan.gov or 517-284-5724 Kathy Fagan, MEDC, fagank@medc.org or 517-335-4590

LANSING, Mich. - The Pure Michigan Agriculture Summit, hosted by Pure Michigan Business Connect and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), brought together agricultural growers, processors, grocers and institutional buyers for an invite-only business matchmaking event.

“It’s exciting to bring together two of Michigan’s greatest success stories – Pure Michigan Business Connect and our dynamic food and agriculture industry,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “This is the type of collaborative, innovative economic development initiative that is driving Michigan’s comeback. We’re confident that the partnerships developed at this summit will continue to grow, resulting in more and better jobs for Michigan families.”

“Today’s Summit provided a great platform to bring Michigan buyers and suppliers around the same table to create new business opportunities for our state,” said Jamie Clover Adams, MDARD Director. “The networking and connections made today will lead to increased economic development and job creation with Michigan’s food and agriculture industry.”

“The Pure Michigan Business Connect program is an innovative way for government to help Michigan businesses find new opportunities through market-based solutions, and we commend MDARD for its commitment to working with us and helping Michigan’s food producers and suppliers grow,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “We estimate that since Pure Michigan Business Connect launched, the program has facilitated $1.6 billion in revenue for Michigan companies. This supplier summit, with nearly 70 unique procurement needs, will mean even more growth opportunities for Michigan businesses.” The summit, held in Lansing, launched a long-term commitment by both MDARD and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to assist in supply chain connectivity and create market access to help grow the food processing industry and create jobs in Michigan.

Governor Rick Snyder provided the morning keynote remarks. Other speakers included Trevor Pawl, managing director, Pure Michigan Business Connect; Jamie Clover Adams, director, MDARD; and Michael A. Finney, president and CEO, MEDC.

Throughout the day, more than 200 food and agriculture suppliers, growers, and processors from around the state met with buyers from Gordon Foods, Kroger, Lipari, Meijer, SpartanNash, Sysco, Whole Foods and other large Michigan companies.

Companies also had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions to learn more about exporting their products and new manufacturing technology.

Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources. Companies can find new ways to raise capital, get access to professional business services at little or no cost, connect with each other through a new business-to-business network, and identify potential supplier opportunities, while developing resources to improve their supply chains.

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