PINEVILLE, La. – Cleco Corporation (NYSE: CNL) and several other large local businesses in central Louisiana will host a Supplier Diversity Business Fair on Wednesday, April 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites Pineville Convention Center located at 2727 Monroe Highway.

“While Cleco does business with all types of qualified companies through a competitive bidding process, this is a grass-roots outreach supplier diversity initiative to promote the utilization of diverse suppliers, such as minorities, women, veterans, disabled veterans and suppliers located in historically underutilized business zones,” said Cheryl Patrick, manager of supply chain and contracts. “Suppliers will learn about goods and services needed by Cleco and other companies in this area and how to become an approved vendor.”

More than 40 businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans are registered to participate. Cleco worked with the Louisiana Minority Supplier Diversity Council (LMSDC) to plan the event. LMSDC promotes and develops procurement opportunities between buyers and sellers to increase the number of minority firms doing business with corporate supply chains. 

Representatives from Cleco will be in attendance, as well as representatives from other large local businesses such as Dis-Tran Companies, England Airpark and Roy O. Martin.

“Cleco is committed to reaching out to diverse suppliers because it’s the right thing to do,” said Patrick. “We want to do business with both small and large businesses in the communities we serve to help create jobs and grow our economy.” 

Businesses should RSVP for the Supplier Diversity Business Fair to Jessica Rachal, purchasing contracts and expeditor, at (318) 484-7128 or [email protected].