The Island Employee Cooperative (IEC) in Stonington, Maine has just celebrated its fifth year of operation. CDI’s Rob Brown, Director of Business Ownership Solutions, was part of the team that provided the technical assistance for the employees and the seller to convert three local businesses to an employee owned cooperative. Converted in 2014, the IEC
Both the government and cooperatives exist to help regular people accomplish together what they could not do on their own. So since we know how to make our co-ops meet our needs, why not use those skills to get our government to meet our needs, too? When co-operators use their voices, legislators listen — as
Teamwork makes all the difference in achieving our goals and aspirations. Together, the ROC USA Network of nine Certified Technical Assistance Providers has assisted well over 15,000 homeowners in 16 states achieve resident ownership of their communities. But what a way to hit that milestone, with 4 new communities in Vermont in just two months,
By Jonah Fertig-Burd At the end of April, I traveled down to South Carolina for an immersion with our BALLE Fellowship. BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) brings together leaders from different sectors and regions who are working on growing local living economies. Our Local Economy Fellowship has brought together rural and urban leaders,
by Maria Fernandes-Dominique After months of careful research and writing, CDI is excited to share with all stakeholders a comprehensive 8-page report highlighting cooperatives and employee-owned enterprises as the most successful workforce development solution for sustaining Maine’s economy into the future. The report’s authors, Rob Brown, CDI’s Director of Business Solutions, Jonah Fertig-Burd, CDI’s
In all of our work, CDI is committed to addressing the root causes of oppression in our social, economic and political systems. We understand that a significant root cause of oppression in our country, and around the globe, is that of systemic racial oppression that permeates all systems. We also understand that racism is a
Massachusetts On March 16th & 17th, the Another World is Here: Worker Co-ops and the Solidarity Economy conference was held in Worcester, Massachusetts. This statewide convening focused on the advancement of a worker ownership movement as well as the broader solidarity economy in Massachusetts. Cooperators joined together to lay the foundation for movement building in
Co-ops can help people do just about anything. But can you help us make cooperation work for everyone in our region? Then it’s time to apply for the Cooperative Business Director position at CDI! We are looking for someone with an outstanding mix of business development, organizational development, and network building skills. Our new Cooperative Business Director will
CDI is excited to embrace Spring with the announcement of two new cooperative conversions! We are proud to add the Railroad Avenue Supply Company and Insource Renewables to our strong network of locally owned and controlled businesses across the Northeast! Since 1963, the Railroad Avenue Supply Company has been a consistent community asset in Stamford.
On March 16 and 17, CDI had the great pleasure of co-sponsoring Another World is Here: Worker Co-Ops and the Solidarity Economy in Massachusetts conference. Held in Worcester, the conference was attended by over 100 community development practitioners from across the Commonwealth and neighboring states. Spearheaded by the Center for Economic Democracy, the two-day gathering
