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![BuyDetroit’s Passport 2 Procurement 2 Conference focuses on helping Detroit entrepreneurs scale beyond the neighborhoods](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DSC00530-1080x675.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
BuyDetroit’s Passport 2 Procurement 2 Conference focuses on helping Detroit entrepreneurs scale beyond the neighborhoods
BuyDetroit, a small business initiative of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), hosted its second annual Passport 2 Procurement conference today at the Hollywood Casino at Greektown, with over 200 attendees.
![BuyDetroit’s Passport 2 Procurement 2 Conference focuses on helping Detroit entrepreneurs scale beyond the neighborhoods](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DSC00530-1080x675.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
BuyDetroit’s Passport 2 Procurement 2 Conference focuses on helping Detroit entrepreneurs scale beyond the neighborhoods
BuyDetroit, a small business initiative of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), hosted its second annual Passport 2 Procurement conference today at the Hollywood Casino at Greektown, with over 200 attendees.
Recent Headlines
![Planting seeds: Detroit Means Business event fosters connections for Detroit small businesses to grow and thrive](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Seeds-for-Growth-Flyer-900x675.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Planting seeds: Detroit Means Business event fosters connections for Detroit small businesses to grow and thrive
A local event aims to help Detroit entrepreneurs sow seeds for future financial success. Detroit Means Business will host “Small Business Seeds for Growth” on September 19 at The Jam Handy in Detroit. The event, sponsored by Huntington National Bank, aims to connect under-resourced, Detroit-based small businesses to capital by removing barriers to access.
![Detroit Economic Growth Corporation hires Sean Gray as leader of small business department](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/team_headshots-800x675.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation hires Sean Gray as leader of small business department
Gray to provide vision and leadership to grow DEGC’s impact on Detroit’s small business community DETROIT – Today, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation announced the hiring of Sean Gray as vice president of Small Business Services. Gray, who brings more than 18...
![Motor City Match awards first-ever $1 million round of grants](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/MotorCityMatch_Round20_Announcement-1080x675.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Motor City Match awards first-ever $1 million round of grants
Mayor Mike Duggan and Motor City Match celebrated the program’s Round 20 awards, which includes 20 grants totaling $1 million dollars to entrepreneurs looking to bring their dream of opening a business in Detroit a reality. T
![Detroit Economic Growth Corporation procurement program, BuyDetroit, hosts first-ever Marketplace Live trade show](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BuyDetroit_MarketplaceLive2022.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation procurement program, BuyDetroit, hosts first-ever Marketplace Live trade show
BuyDetroit, DEGC’s program focused on fostering a community of business-to-business procurement in Detroit, today hosted its Marketplace Live trade show event
Making News
THE MICHIGAN OPPORTUNITY PODCAST
In episode 14, Kevin Johnson, DEGC President and CEO, talks with host Ed Clemente about DEGC’s efforts to stimulate small business growth, attract new investment and create jobs for Detroiters.
HELPING DETROIT SMALL BUSINESSES
Join a conversation with Kevin Johnson and Pierre Batton of the DEGC in an interview with the Michigan Chronicle’s Andre Ash.
![](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/KenyettaHairston-Bridges.jpeg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Build + Revitalize Podcast
Motor City Match Recipient, Baobab Fare, Brings East African Dishes and Help for Fellow Refugees to Detroit
Awards
![40s-2021-logo3 (1)](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/40s-2021-logo3-1.jpeg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![40-Under-40-1100x570-1-e1603731361242](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/40-Under-40-1100x570-1-e1603731361242.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
The Michigan Chronicle has named Pierre Batton, DEGC Vice President of Small Business Services, as one of its 2020 “40 Under 40” honorees. Batton joins a list of the area’s most influential young professionals, chosen from hundreds of nominations, that represent a variety of industries and professions, including business leaders, community activists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and educators.
![Mac-Award-2019 200 x 174 2019 Mac Conway Award](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mac-Award-2019-200-x-174.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![Mac Award 2020](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mac-Award-2020-e1596736285510.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Site Selection Magazine named DEGC a top economic development group for 2019 and 2020 and awarded DEGC with the prestigious Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development. The award recognizes the top local and regional economic development agencies in America. Significant projects noted were Fiat Chrysler, Arbe Robotics, and Flex-N-Gate. And, according to Site Selection Magazine, “DEGC’s Business Development team is leading Detroit’s first and only global commerce initiative.”
![AmericasTop50 ED Badge FINAL Social 01 329x252 North America's Top 50 Economic Developer 2019](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AmericasTop50_ED-Badge_FINAL_Social-01-329x252-1.png?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Kevin Johnson, CEO was named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers of 2019 by Consultant Connect, a highly touted consulting agency known internationally for its strategies to advance economic growth and development. “The list recognizing North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers is designed to acknowledge the hard work of the top leaders in this field and elevate the conversation around economic development and job creation,” said Ron Kitchens, managing partner, Consultant Connect. “Each of the leaders represented on this year’s list is beyond deserving of this recognition for their efforts in building our communities.”
![Business Facilities Deal Of The Year 2018 North America's Top 50 Economic Developer 2019](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Business-Facilities-Deal-of-the-Year-2018.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![Business Facilities Deal Of The Year 2019 The Skillman Foundation logo](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Business-Facilities-Deal-of-the-Year-2019.jpeg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
For 2019, Business Facilities magazine selected the Fiat Chrysler expansion as its Deal of the Year. FCA’s $4.5 billion investment in Detroit and nearby Macomb County was selected from a group of 40 nationally recognized deals as the publication’s top economic development project in the U.S. It marked the second consecutive year a Detroit-based development won the highest honor. Ford Motor Company’s purchase of the Michigan Central Depot claimed the top spot in 2018. Ford continues to work with the City, DEGC and others to renovate the historic train station and redevelop the surrounding Corktown neighborhood.
Media Contact
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Lanard Ingram
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications![](https://b2329194.smushcdn.com/2329194/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/EdenBlue-372x500.jpeg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)