MI Blues move workers to downtown Detroit

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan began relocating 3,000 workers Monday from Southfield to their new offices at the General Motors Co. Renaissance Center downtown. "We write the next chapter in the story of Detroit," said Daniel Loepp, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, at a press conference in Tower 500 of the RenCen. "For a kid who grew up on the east side of Detroit, this is a great day." The relocation to downtown Detroit is part of a series of moves by the nonprofit health care insurer to concentrate its employees to three cities—Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids — where 97 percent of the Blues' work force eventually will be located. The developments will generate more than $200 million in new construction-related spending, business activity and personal income, according to an economic impact study. They also will create $7.5 million for local governments, according to the study by the Anderson Economic Group, an East Lansing-based consulting firm.