For Tax Day this year, we published a Co-op Cathy column that answered the questions “What is the maximum dividend rate that co-ops can offer on preferred stock?” and “What are the implications of issuing preferred stock vs. raising capital through member or supporter loans?”. The responses were written by Margaret Bau, Cooperative Development Specialist
We recently teamed up with Cabot Creamery, the Association of Vermont Credit Unions, and VSECU to build a database of every co-op in the state of Vermont. Now, the results are in! The high-profile cooperative census has helped to create a new database that tracks cooperatively organized businesses in Vermont. These exist across many sectors,
Baby boomers are the next big thing in co-ops, according to Shelterforce, the nation’s oldest housing and community development magazine. As business owners move to retirement, employees have the opportunity to buy the company, and such conversions are a major opportunity for cooperatives. Shelterforce’s article featured the work that we have done in Maine, including
Meet Cathy, the Cooperative Development Institute’s new answerwoman! She can take on any co-op questions you might have, big or small. Today we address the question: “Are there examples of cooperatively organized tree care companies? We are thinking about starting one in Newark and would love to learn from existing examples.” See all of Cathy’s
Meet Cathy, the Cooperative Development Institute’s new answerwoman! She can take on any co-op questions you might have, big or small. Today we address the questions: “How can co-ops benefit immigrant/New American workers?” See all of Cathy’s answers and ask your own on her home page. This blog post was written by Jonah Fertig, cooperative
Triangle Court, a mobile home park at the foothills of the Green Mountain National Forest in Brandon, VT, is under new ownership. With help from CDI, the park residents have united to purchase the park, and it is now a resident owned community. Under threat of an outside sale, the residents banded together in two short
Meet Cathy, the Cooperative Development Institute’s new answerwoman! She can take on any co-op questions you might have, big or small. Today we address the questions: “What is the maximum dividend rate that co-ops can offer on preferred stock? What are the implications of issuing preferred stock vs. raising capital through member or supporter loans?”
Homeowners in the 247-home Oak Hill Mobile Home Park took a big step toward securing their financial futures when they collectively bought their neighborhood as a resident corporation this week. The Oak Hill Taunton Residents Association Inc. Board of Directors said the purchase process has already brought the community closer together. Kathy Zorotheos, president of
Meet Cathy, the Cooperative Development Institute’s new answerwoman! She can take on any co-op questions you might have, big or small. Today we address the questions: “What are the legal difference between nonprofits and cooperatives? Can you run a nonprofit cooperatively?” See all of Cathy’s answers and ask your own on her home page. This
Food should be fair! We’re co-sponsoring the 2016 Farmers’ Market Managers Workshop in North Grafton, Massachusetts on April 6th. This year’s workshop will explore ways in which market managers can build and strengthen local connections. Deep roots strengthen both the market and the community, so we’re calling this gathering “Building Deeply Rooted Farmers Markets: Establishing
