Companies Providing Quality Service to the Community

At a time of tremendous economic turmoil in our country, it’s good to know there are still some bright spots on Michigan’s horizon and there are still companies that are committed to providing quality service to the community.

One such company is ITC Holdings Corp., headquartered in Novi, which is the owner and operator of the high voltage electric transmission system in most of Michigan’s lower Peninsula. ITC through its subsidiaries operate a fully regulated network of approximately 8100 circuit miles of transmission lines and stations. And at ITC commitment to community is more than a slogan taken from a corporate mission statement.

“If you don’t recognize the importance of partnering within the communities, as a service provider you’re always going to be regarded as cold and distant to your customers”, says Joseph L. Welch, Chairman President and CEO of ITC. “From the very beginning we have taken our role as community stewards seriously and have been personally and professionally enriched because of it”.

On Thanksgiving morning, Joe traded in his business suit for a fuzzy wig, clown shoes and full clown costume in order to participate in The Parade Company’s Distinguished Clown Corp, marching down Woodward Avenue in America’s Thanksgiving Parade.

“I love it”, says Welch. “Supporting such a committed organization like The Parade Company and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces when the clowns are coming reminds me of the tremendous spirit of community that we enjoy in Detroit”. “I’m honored and humbled that ITC has an opportunity to be a part of that”, Welch continued.

Since its inception in 2003, ITC has partnered with a number of non-profit community organizations including The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) which provides energy assistance to low income Michigan families. The company gives its employees the day off in exchange for volunteering to answer calls for donations during THAW Fund’s Winter Survival Radiothon.

ITC is also proud sponsors for 3 Cornerstone Schools’ students located throughout the city of Detroit, gave 5 $5000 scholarships for College of Creative Arts students for their submission of artwork for the company’s corporate headquarters and are sponsors for The American Heart Association’s annual Go Red for Women campaign aimed at raising awareness regarding women and heart disease.

Perhaps ITC’s largest and most logistically challenging demonstration of its community focus is the annual lighting of transmission towers located throughout the state.

“It started as just a suggestion (lighting the towers), but the field guys thought they could pull it off” says Welch. “It’s just our way of spreading a little good will during the holidays”, he said.

Today, ITC Holdings and its three operating companies share a focus on building, maintaining and operating a reliable electric transmission grid that benefits the customers directly and energy consumers throughout the region by improving reliability, reducing congestion and paving the way for the entrance of renewable resources.

ITC Holdings Corp. paid for placement of this content. The firm’s views do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Dash, WWJ Newsradio 950, or CBS Radio.

For information on how you can sponsor content in the Blue Box, contact Jeff Lasser at (248) 455-7200 or jeff.lasser@cbsradio.com.