Diverse Supplier Development Program

In 2021, FirstEnergy kicked off its inaugural Diverse Supplier Development Program (DSDP) to support Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) within our service area. The program is built on two pillars:  enrollment and training-mentorship. These pillars align with FirstEnergy’s mission to make customers’ lives brighter and our communities stronger. The program runs annually, and in 2024 it was expanded to include all diverse suppliers.

Benefits of the DSDP inlcude:  

Greater Opportunities
Having a business relationship with a diverse company shows that our business recognizes the value in diversity. Diverse suppliers expand our supplier selection pool.

Strengthen Brand Recognition
Partnering with a diverse business shows that FirstEnergy supports diverse communities and reinforces our commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and encouraging diverse business enterprises. Working with diverse suppliers puts action behind our words and signals to the community our priorities.

Innovation and Creativity
Diverse businesses tend to be smaller, and usually have less overhead than larger businesses. They may also be more competitive with their pricing and more flexible with their services. Due to their smaller size, they are often more innovative and responsive than larger competitors.

For more information on FirstEnergy’s Diverse Supplier Development Program, contact our Supplier Diversity representatives by emailing supplierdiversity@firstenergycorp.com.