ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- When you think of affirmative action, perhaps you think of employment, but it’s also a factor in the supply chain.

News 4’s Laurie Waters has the story of an organization expanding opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

AmerenUE stretches for blocks in south St. Louis, and Centrex Electrical Supply has but a corner in the West End. But these two companies have something in common: a growing business relationship.

“What Ameren gets out of this is a quality supplier that meets the needs of both the company and -- indirectly -- our customers,” said Ameren vice president Dennis Weisenborn.

The relationship between Ameren and Centrex didn’t happen in a vacuum. The St. Louis Minority Business Council played matchmaker and marriage counselor.

“As we look at all our companies, they’re doing $7 billion of business with 7,000 employees, so we think that’s a major impact in our community,” said St. Louis Minority Business Council president and CEO James Webb.

“It’s beyond doing the right thing. There’s an economic imperative associated with doing business with minority businesses,” Weisenborn said.

Centrex products are in nearly every major project undertaken in St. Louis.

The council mentors its 300 members by offering classes, workshops and networking, but ultimately, it’s up to the minority companies to perform and correct misconceptions.

Webb said “one major one is being taken seriously.”

“Time and time again our customers come back to us and tell us, “I’d never thought we’d get the level of service and the quality of product and the benefit of more competitive pricing,” said Centrex sales manager Ron Sangster.

In less than 10 years, Centrex’s business with Ameren has grown into the millions and led to money and jobs staying in St. Louis.