News

LANSING – State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Jackson) today praised a plan passed by the House to allow small businesses to participate in the state's bulk purchasing program, a move that  will cut their costs and create jobs for Michigan workers.

"Jackson County's small businesses are an integral part of the local economy, and we have to do everything we can to help them grow," Simpson said. "Enabling small businesses to cut costs by letting them tap into the state's bulk purchasing power will help create and protect jobs."

The House plan allows small businesses to participate in the cooperative bulk purchasing program administered through the Department of Management and Budget (DMB). Using the program will reduce the costs of purchasing goods and services for small businesses, which tend to operate on extremely tight budgets.

Small businesses are defined as those that are independently owned and operated, employ fewer than 30 employees and have gross annual sales of less than $1 million. Neither small businesses nor vendors will be required to participate in the program. Businesses would pay a small fee to participate.

Currently, access to the state's cooperative bulk purchasing program is limited to certain governmental bodies and nonprofit hospitals.