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SRP’s Supplier Diversity program fosters economic empowerment

Our mission is to promote a composition of corporate spending reflective of the communities we serve.

Supplier Diversity

More than 30 years ago, SRP formalized supplier diversity within our supply chain strategy. Today, we stay true to our commitment of working with and evolving the way we partner with small, local and diverse businesses for the purpose of encouraging innovation and sustainability and promoting economic development and empowerment.

SRP’s Supplier Diversity mission is to promote a composition of corporate spend reflective of the communities we serve.

Our diverse supplier partners include:

  • Small/local businesses
  • Disabled-owned businesses
  • LGBTQ-owned businesses
  • Minority-owned businesses
  • Woman-owned businesses
  • Veteran and service-disabled businesses
  • Other underserved businesses

For your company to be classified as a diverse business, it must be at least 51% owned and operated by one of the diversity classifications listed above. A small business classification is defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Our economic impact

SRP’s small, local and diverse managed spend in 2025 achieved:

$282M — nearly 21% of total managed spend

768 small, local and diverse suppliers

4,164 jobs supported

SRP Economic Impact Report

The money SRP spends with small, local and diverse suppliers contributes to a strong supply chain and healthy business activity. Our choice to partner with these suppliers encourages job creation and an economy that positively impacts the community.

Our commitment to a diverse supply chain

For more than 30 years, supplier diversity has been a vital part of our commitment to being an organization that truly reflects the communities we serve while supporting a strong, inclusive supplier network.


SRP’s Supplier Diversity success is a collaborative effort.

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Colleagues across our company are encouraged to contribute to supplier diversity goals.

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We partner with local community organizations to champion supplier diversity excellence.

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SRP serves as a resource for small, local and diverse businesses. 

By engaging with community organizations that support and advocate for these businesses, we’re working to foster economic empowerment and provide a sustainable supply chain marketplace. These innovative business solutions lead to a better future for all of us.

Becoming a small, local or diverse supplier

SRP enjoys working with and providing preferred customer status to suppliers who are agile and innovative and who can provide accurate lead times and price estimates. These efforts are critical to helping support continuity of the supplies and services required to meet our business objectives.

Let’s do this together.

Register (Opens in a new tab) as a prospective supplier.

Already a supplier? Log in (Opens in a new tab).

Second-tier spend

SRP encourages suppliers to create opportunities for small, local and diverse businesses through their work supporting SRP contracts. This activity is recognized as second-tier spend.

Through our partnership with Supplier.io, suppliers can report second-tier spend and help showcase the collective impact we make by supporting diverse businesses and strengthening our communities.

What our partners are saying about SRP’s Supplier Diversity program

Testimonial 1 – Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona (AMCA)
Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona (AMCA)

“Salt River Project has been a staunch supporter of the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona for over 14 years. Because of this partnership, which aligns us with like-minded goals in helping to promote and support small business enterprises, the relationship has been very rewarding. They created the Small Business Leadership Academy to help small businesses with the educational piece of understanding and growing their companies. They have opened doors for small businesses to participate in Salt River Project projects and created a Small Business Scholarship with AMCA. Salt River Project is truly committed to making a difference in small business success.”

Ricardo Carlo, President, Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona

Testimonial 2 – Local First Arizona
Local First Arizona

“SRP has been a critical partner in helping Arizona’s local businesses prepare for new opportunities. Through its support of Local First Arizona’s We Rise Accelerator, SRP has helped Black entrepreneurs build relationships, better understand procurement and contracting opportunities, and gain resources to grow their businesses. Partnerships like this help create stronger pathways for locally owned businesses to compete, grow and contribute to Arizona’s economy.”

Kimber Lanning, Founder and CEO, Local First Arizona

Testimonial 3 – Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce (GPECC)
Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce (GPECC)

"SRP's Supplier Diversity team has been a true partner in our growth, connecting us with resources that go far beyond funding. Through programs like the Better Together Business Resource Conference and Economic Forecast forums, along with introductions to trainers and other partners, SRP has helped strengthen our capacity to serve our community. Their commitment to our mission is evident in everything they do."

Michele White, Executive Director, Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce

Testimonial 4 – Great Impact, Inc.
Great Impact, Inc.

"SRP Supplier Diversity is truly committed to supporting local small businesses and helping us succeed, and partnering with their programs has been nothing short of transformative for Great Impact, Inc. Erika and her team didn't just open a door; they walked through it with us, offering genuine mentorship, resources and opportunities that many small businesses do not get. Supplier Diversity at SRP is not just a box to check for them; you can feel the heart and soul they pour into truly seeing local entrepreneurs succeed. They understand that when small businesses grow, the entire community becomes stronger and more vibrant. Because of the business opportunities SRP has given us, our business has grown, our team at Great Impact has grown and, in turn, we've been able to give back even more to our own community. SRP Supplier Diversity isn't just building a supplier network; they're building a stronger Arizona. The Great Impact team is incredibly grateful to be a part of that story and for SRP's continued commitment to building a better community for everyone."

Teresa Ornelas, Owner and Founder, Great Impact, Inc.

Women’s Business Enterprise Council–West (WBEC–West)
Women’s Business Enterprise Council–West (WBEC–West)

“SRP has been an invaluable supporter, sponsor and network builder for WBEC–West and the women-owned businesses we serve. Their Supplier Diversity team consistently goes beyond opening doors—they build meaningful relationships, connect suppliers with opportunities, and invest in programs that strengthen business readiness and long-term growth. SRP’s commitment demonstrates the powerful impact a corporation can have in the economic vitality of a community when supplier inclusion is supported through intentional action and genuine partnership.”

Pamela S. Williamson, Ph.D., President and CEO, Women’s Business Enterprise Council–West

The Small Business Academy helps small businesses gain the tools, training and connections needed to win larger contracts and attract high‑value customers.

Delivered by the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute in partnership with SRP, it empowers Arizona businesses to grow and succeed in larger markets.

 

For companies ready to scale, the program provides targeted events, expert mentorship and practical resources so they can compete in public and private procurement opportunities.