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Diversity Programs

Everyone should have the opportunity to grow their business, to experience success, and achieve their dreams. We'd like to offer enterprising diverse owned and small businesses the opportunity to do just that.

We offer programs to help us actively seek out small businesses and enterprises owned by minorities, females, veterans, service-disabled veterans, disabled veterans, LGBT and disabled individuals that offer quality goods and professional services. We provide solid business opportunities to these suppliers in order to maximize their participation in the procurement process.

This includes those businesses identified under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definitions of Small Disadvantaged Business Concern (SDB); Woman‐Owned Small Business Concern (WOSB); Veteran‐Owned Small Business Concern (VOSB); Service Disabled Veteran‐Owned Small Business Concern (SDVOB); HUBZone Small Business Concern (SBA Certified); and Minority‐Owned (MBE) Small Business Concern.

Supplier Diversity Business Development Program

Our Supplier Diversity Business Development Program helps build relationships between Southern Company employees with buying authority and diverse and small suppliers, enabling them to increase awareness of opportunities at Southern Company, and giving purchasing employees wider supplier choices.
 

Second Tier Program

Southern Company strongly encourages prime suppliers to extend subcontracting opportunities to diverse and small firms. This program has added opportunities for diverse businesses in companies we do not own or manage.

Questions and Comments
 

Do you qualify as a minority or female-owned business?

To qualify as a minority-owned or female-owned business enterprise, your company must be at least 51% owned and operated by a minority person and/or a female. A minority or female owner must be involved in daily business operations. The definition of a minority owner, according to the Small Business Administration, is a U.S. citizen from one of the following ethnic groups: African-American, Asian-Indian American, Asian-Pacific American, Hispanic American, or Native American.

Minority-owned or female-owned businesses also must meet our expectations for all suppliers: high-quality, competitively priced goods, and timely, responsive service.