Strengthening a diverse business community economically contributes to the overall economic growth of our markets.  Citizens Gas & Coke Utility supports the identifi- cation, development, and utilization of minority vendors as part of its purchasing program.  Our intent is to support economic development efforts within the minority sector to the extent that jobs may be provided, entrepreneurship may be advanced, and useful goods and services may be produced at competitive prices.

For purposes of our policy, a minority business enterprise is defined as a business in which minority group members own more than 50% of the interest, stock or otherwise.  This determination is based solely on ownership.

Minority group members as defined by the U.S. Government are American Indian and Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Latino (who may be of any race).  Women-owned enterprises, small business, small disadvantaged business, HubZone business, and Veteran-owned small business (while not defined by the U.S.Government as minorities) are included under the Citizens Gas Supplier Diversity Program.