for immediate release

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    FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:                                                                                 September  8,  2014                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

             

MICHIGAN  MADE,  DETROIT  BUILT  EVENT  TO  ENSURE  LOCAL  AND  STATE  SUPPLIERS,   CONTRACTORS,  PLAY  MAJOR  ROLE  IN  NEW  SPORTS  AND  ENTERTAINMENT  DISTRICT     Ilitch  Organization  to  Goal:  a  New,  Michigan-­‐made  Arena  in  Detroit  

  DETROIT   –   Olympia   Development   of   Michigan   (ODM)   invites   Michigan-­‐based   construction   contractors  and  suppliers  from  across  the  state,  as  well  as  Detroit-­‐based  contractors,  to  learn   about  supply,  joint  venture  and  construction  opportunities  available  through  the  construction   of  the  Detroit  Sports  and  Entertainment  District  and  its  new  arena.       The  September  9  event  will  connect  contractors  and  suppliers  throughout  Michigan,  including   Detroit,  with  District  project  leadership  to  drive  participation  in  construction  and  supply   opportunities.  The  event  is  also  intended  to  ensure  that  the  new  arena  is  built  primarily  with   materials  made  in  Michigan,  financially  benefiting  companies  from  all  parts  of  the  state.     Michigan-­‐wide  Contractor  and  Supplier  Summit   Michigan  Made,  Detroit  Built   September  9,  2014,  10:00  am  –  2:00  pm   MotorCity  Casino  Hotel  -­‐  Sound  Board   2901  Grand  River  Ave.,  Detroit,  MI   9:00  am  –  10:  00  am  Registration   10:00  am  –  11:00  am  Project  overview   11:00  am  –  2:00  pm  Networking     Also   present   at   the   event   will   be   General   Contractor   Barton   Malow,   Hunt   &   White,   Heritage   Development   Services,   The   Michigan   Black   Chamber   of   Commerce,   Michigan   Economic   Development   Corporation,   The   City   of   Detroit   Downtown   Development   Authority,   Detroit   Employment   Solutions   Corporation,   and   The   City   of   Detroit   Office   of   Human   Rights.   These   organizations  will  provide  information,  resources  and  networking  that  will  help  contractors  and   suppliers  pursue  business  opportunities  through  construction  of  the  new  District  and  its  arena.         “We   are   committed   to   ensuring   that   Michigan   and   Detroit   companies,   and   their   workers,   benefit  from  this  transformational  initiative,”  said  Christopher  Ilitch,  President  and  CEO  of  Ilitch   Holdings,   Inc.     “We   expect   to   create   8,300   construction   and   construction-­‐related   jobs   and   produce  a  $1.8  billion  state-­‐wide  economic  benefit  through  the  District  and  its  new  arena;  this   event   is   another   important   step   in   making   the   biggest   positive   impact   we   can   for   Michigan   and   Detroit  through  this  initiative.”       1    

 

Contractors  and  suppliers  can  visit  www.DistrictDetroit.com  to  register  and  learn  more.         The  Sept.  9  Summit  is  the  second  contractor  event  held  by  ODM  in  less  than  three  weeks.  On   Aug.   28,   more   than   300   attendees   from   Detroit-­‐based   and   headquartered   businesses   attended   a   Jobs   Summit   held   at   Motor   City   Casino   Hotel.   A   broad   Detroit   workforce   event   that   will   support   the   organization’s   goal   of   51%   Detroit   workers   in   construction   jobs   is   planned   for   October  28,  2014.     Launch  for  the  District  will  occur  this  fall.  Office,  retail  and  residential  buildings  –  as  well  as  the   new  arena  –  are  scheduled  to  be  complete  by  the  summer  of  2017.  Construction  of  the  arena   and  surrounding  District  is  expected  to  generate  at  least  $1.8B  in  total  economic  impact,  8,300   construction  and  construction-­‐related  jobs  and  1,100  permanent  jobs.  More  than  $100M  in   income  from  the  arena  project  alone  is  expected  for  Detroit  residents,  with  significant   additional  income  to  be  created  through  future  private  development.     ###     About  Olympia  Development  of  Michigan     Olympia   Development   of   Michigan   is   a   Detroit-­‐based   full-­‐service   real   estate   company   owned   by   Detroit   entrepreneurs   Michael   and   Marian   Ilitch.   The   company   is   responsible   for   developing   and   investing   in   some   of   Detroit’s   most   recognized   and   visited   venues,   including   the   nationally   acclaimed  Comerica  Park.  Other  Ilitch  companies  in  the  food,  sports  and  entertainment  industries   include:   Little   Caesars   Pizza,   Blue   Line   Foodservice   Distribution,   the   Detroit   Red   Wings,   Olympia   Entertainment,   Little   Caesars   Pizza   Kits   Fundraising   Program,   Champion   Foods,   Ilitch   Holdings   and   Uptown   Entertainment.   Michael   Ilitch   owns   the   Detroit   Tigers.   Marian   Ilitch   owns   the   MotorCity   Casino  Hotel.    

 

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