Looking forward and backward: an update at the start of 2023

A Message from Co-Director Kristen Barker

The experiment of Co-op Cincy has now lasted 11 years. We have learned from successes and setbacks in developing a network of worker-owned businesses, and we have distilled structures that increase our co-ops’ chances of success. We bring these insights into this moment as we continue to learn and grow. 

We have a foundation to build on. Since our founding, our network has grown to 13 co-ops employing more than 100 people, of which 75% are people of color and 66% are women. This last year, Cincinnati was ranked #4 in the country among the top 25 cities for employee ownership by Certified EO! In Greater Cincinnati, there are currently about 5,000 workers employed in businesses with 100% employee-owned ESOPS (employee stock ownership plans).

Co-op Cincy continued our work of building community wealth in 2022. In the area of affordable housing, network member Renting Partnerships made big strides. Renting Partnerships is pioneering an exciting renting model to combat gentrification while providing opportunities for low-income households to build wealth through participation in affordable, community-owned housing. At the end of 2022, Renting Partnerships closed on a new duplex and expanded their staff to identify new properties. As 2023 begins, they are looking for mission aligned partners. One possible avenue is to partner with congregations in transition. 


At Co-op Cincy, we are determined to collectively create an economy that works for all, especially for those who have been historically excluded. We envision having 80,000 worker-owned jobs in this region in 50 years. We imagine thriving communities where everyone has access to affordable housing. We picture people creating the world we all want to see, a world based on solidarity that recognizes in our bones what Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr says so beautifully: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny.” 

How can this come to be? What gives us hope and a blueprint for action? Several things:

Mondragon serves as a guiding light and a proven example of what is possible, showing us how an interconnected community of worker-owned co-ops can truly move the needle on poverty, unemployment, and inequality. This was highlighted in a recent Bloomberg article and podcast titled, "How a Worker-Owned Business Model in Spain Is Keeping Inequality in Check."

U.S. history points to what is doable, to how cooperatives can solve significant problems and scale! Rural electric cooperatives, owned by rural residents, electrified 75% of the United States! Member-owned credit unions, which offer affordable financial services, have more than 110 million members! They have specialized in making affordable financial services available to all income levels, with a particular focus on those with low incomes. 

Additionally, there is a remarkable, centuries-old history of collective and cooperative mutual aid efforts among African Americans, one detailed by Jessica Gordon-Nembhard in her book Collective Courage. This history has led to important opportunities for people who have been excluded, enabling them to create structures for participation, problem-solving, education, training, and wealth-building. 

Collective action is alive and well. Movements for civil rights, labor, environmental, and social justice are helping to remove structural barriers and open up new possibilities. Here are two articles about just a few of the victories from 2022. This one focuses on climate victories.

At the moment, Co-op Cincy has 4 strategies to move the needle on poverty and inequality, broaden ownership, and create thriving communities:

1. Help business owners sell their businesses to their workers

Around 2/3 of all private businesses are owned by baby boomers, many of whom are in the process of retiring or are nearing retirement. As a result of this wave of retirements, 80 percent of these businesses are at risk of shutting down. This could be a significant opportunity to transfer wealth and broaden ownership.

Through our Business Legacy Fund, we have partnered with Seed Commons, a national network of non-extractive loan funds, to create a multimillion-dollar fund for small- and mid-sized businesses. In 2022 we transitioned 2 companies: Shine Nurture Center, whose owner was ready to move on to their next adventure while preserving their legacy, and Heritage Hill, a Black apparel company whose founder wanted to expand ownership while continuing to work in the business. In 2023, we expect to transition many more businesses. 

How you can help: Do you know any business owners retiring who would like to receive fair-market value for their company while selling to their employees and preserving their legacy? Or business owners who would like to continue working but also to expand ownership and further distribute responsibilities and rewards while receiving a fair price for the business? More info on our Business Legacy Fund here.

2. Support start-up co-ops

Over the years, we have upped our game in helping start-ups verify their assumptions while defining viable business models and shared ownership structures. Last year, several new co-ops came into existence or restructured themselves in impactful ways as a result of our 14-week Co-op U experience. This year we will be releasing our Co-op U Manual as a resource. We will also be working with 10-20 new teams of people who are seeking to bring a co-op business to life. 

How you can help: Do you have a desire to think creatively and problem-solve? To give feedback and mentor new co-ops, helping them become the most impactful and feasible version of themselves? Connect with us if this sounds interesting to you! You can email kristen@coopcincy.org.

3. Support our existing co-op network

Worker-ownership can grow with the co-ops in our network. We provide support for culture building, financial literacy, business analysis, and business planning for the 13 worker-owned co-ops in our network. We also help worker-owned co-ops solve challenges, access financing, and grow. In addition, we offer them training via our Cooperative Management Certificate, which is provided in partnership with Xavier University’s Leadership Center. 

How you can help: We have so many innovative co-ops confronting a variety of challenges. Do you want to help two BIPOC-led co-ops solve food distribution to underserved areas experiencing food insecurity? Do you want to support new worker-owners in building their tech skills? Do you like to document systems? There are an infinite number of volunteer opportunities with our existing co-ops! 

Consider how your purchases can support an inclusive economy where everyone shares in ownership. Consider patronizing our co-ops. You can find them via our Co-op Overview page, which includes a Co-op Directory. A helpful guide to local Black-owned businesses can be found here. 

4. Supporting policy, network, & social movements

Policy can enable a more inclusive and equitable economy–or thwart it. Legislation led to the flourishing of rural electric co-ops and credit unions. Climate-smart, democracy-enhancing legislation for shared ownership and equity can make a difference.

Similarly, participation with networks of co-ops of all kinds–and to social movements, including labor–synergistically multiply our efforts. 

How you can help: Do you have a passion for policy? Do you enjoy serving as a bridge between different movements and efforts? Do you like to organize convenings that break down silos and deepen connection and collective power? Reach out and connect with us! You can email kristen@coopcincy.org.

To move the needle on poverty and wealth inequality in Cincinnati, we need your help! Collectively we are powerful!

10 Teams Successfully Complete Power in Numbers and Co-op U

Congrats to Growing Black Power, an emerging farming and food supply co-op whose business plan took 1st place during the Pitch Night for our 3rd Power in Numbers!


Congrats also to the other co-op business teams who participated and made it such an exciting program: Everything Co-op, PVD (Providence) Flowers, and Local Farm Cooperative.

Power in Numbers is a course that supports Black-led teams of entrepreneurs as they develop and launch co-op businesses. The 4 teams who participated pitched their co-op business plans at our final meeting this month.

Special thanks to our Pitch Night judges: Mike Strode of Kola Nut Collaborative, Emmy Allison of LIFT Economy, Jill McCauley of the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, and Brian Griffin of the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council (and a board member of Co-op Cincy).

We're planning to offer another Power in Numbers later this year. You can learn more at coopcincy.org/power-in-numbers.

Congrats to Third Ward Cooperative Community Builders, an emerging shared services co-op whose business plan took 1st place during the recent Pitch Night for our Construction Co-op U!


Congrats also to the Carpenters and Drywall Co-op, which took 2nd place, and to our other teams, who put together exciting co-op business plans: Co-op Dayton Sustainergy Expansion, Junction Economic Transformation Center, Arizmendi Repair Services Cooperative, and Cincinnati Property Management Cooperative.

Our Construction Co-op U is an intensive, 14-week co-op business boot camp that helps teams develop a worker-owned business in a construction-related field. The 6 teams who participated pitched their co-op business plans at our final meeting last month.

Special thanks to our Pitch Night judges: Austin Williams of Sustainergy, Co-op Cincy Board Member & Treasurer Tyree L. Fields, and Rob McLane of TSF Solar.

Co-op U and Cooperative Management Certificate Courses Start in March

Starting March 21, we're offering a general Co-op U in partnership with Co-op Dayton and Cleveland Owns. 

Our Co-op U is an online training and support program that helps teams develop a worker-owned business.

Applications are also open for our Cooperative Management Certificate, which explores the power of cooperative structures to make our businesses profoundly accountable to workers, environments, and communities!

The 12-week, virtual course starts 3/1 and is offered in partnership with Xavier University.

Participants acquire a detailed understanding of how to structure and run businesses that implement cooperative and democratic organizational models, from worker cooperatives to companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).

Staff and Supporters Meet with Newly Elected Congressman Landsman

We had a great time meeting with newly elected Congressman Greg Landsman yesterday about bolstering co-op development at the local and national levels!

Said Congressman Landsman: “I’m a BIG fan of worker-owned businesses. Great for workers, highly effective business practice, and amazing for the economy.”

Thanks for meeting with us, Congressman Landsman!

Forthcoming Book Features Chapter by Co-op Cincy Founders

Humanity @ Work & Life, which will be published later this year, explores how Mondragon-inspired cooperative ecosystems transform “humanity at work” both globally and locally.  

Our very own Co-Directors Kristen Barker and Ellen Vera contributed a chapter about Co-op Cincy's efforts to bring Mondragon's model of interconnected, worker-owned businesses to Greater Cincinnati.

You can preorder the book here.

Co-op Business Owners Organize GoFundMe to Visit Mondragon

A group of co-op business owners in our network has organized a GoFundMe campaign to join the tour of Mondragon. Their goal: learn from the largest industrial cooperative in the world. Can you contribute to their campaign? Or share? 

Here’s their GoFundMe.

The group of 8 is trying to raise $20,000 in total. They’ve already secured $6,400 from the Haile Foundation. They hope to take home lessons from the democratic, resilient economic model developed by Mondragon. 

If you can support them, please do!

New Team Members

We're excited to welcome a new staff member and a new member of our Board of Directors. 📣🎉💫

Zachary Dutton brings over 15 years of experience with groups and organizations in strategic planning, team building, and organizational change. 

Ashley Schleicher completed her MBA concentrating in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership and Change at Northern Kentucky University in December 2022 and is currently the Executive Assistant and Office Manager at the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Council.

Co-op Directory Now Online

Co-op Tour Dates Announced

Curious about our co-ops? We are gearing up for another round of co-op tours this spring, with the 1st on Fri 3/10 from 10 am to noon.

The tours are free (though donations are appreciated)! Get your spot now! See coopcincy.org/events.

The tours are part of our efforts to spread awareness about the co-op business model and how it’s taking off in Cincinnati.

Participants will tour some of the co-ops in our network, which includes more than 10 businesses ranging from an energy-efficiency and solar power company to an urban farm.

Renting Partnerships Closes on Duplex 🏡

At the end of 2022, Renting Partnerships purchased a new 2-unit home in the College Hill neighborhood with the help of Seed Commons!


As with their housing in the Avondale neighborhood, Renting Partnerships will use a renting model designed to fight gentrification and help tenants build long-term wealth.

The units will be leased to low-income residents at below-market rates, and tenants will earn financial credits while participating in the maintenance of the building.

Renting Partnerships is seeking to expand. If you are a nonprofit, business, religious organization, or individual wanting to sell or help Renting Partnerships acquire property, email contact@rentingpartnerships.org!

If you are a prospective resident, you can attend an informational meeting at noon on January 21, February 18, or March 18 at CAIN (4230 Hamilton Ave 45223).

 

The new Renting Partnerships property 

 

Our Harvest Celebrates 10 years 🚜

Our Harvest, the first co-op in our network, celebrated their 10th anniversary at Bahr Farm in 2022!


During the year, they deepened their outreach in the community, working with volunteers from City Gospel Mission and students from Aiken High School and Cincinnati State.

Also in 2022, Cardinal Land Trust got to work repairing infrastructure and bringing the old farm up to date!

Our Harvest's 10-year anniversary celebration 

1st Transitions to Worker-Ownership 🛠️

At the start of the year, we completed our very 1st transitions of traditional businesses to the worker-owned model!


Shine Nurture Center, a nature-focused childcare center, became worker-owned in Januaryafter we helped the departing owner sell the business to 4 of her employees, all women.

Then, in February, Heritage Hill, an apparel company focused on Black culture, also adopted the worker-owned business model. The founder, Brandon Z. Hoff, expanded ownership to a team of 3, all of whom are Black. He was looking for a way to "participate in capitalism without being predatory."

More recently, Heritage Hill’s ‘I’m Bout Making My Ancestors Proud’ pan-African sweatshirt made an appearance on the NPR Tiny Desk Concert for Lion King the musical.

Curious about our transitions program? See becomeworkerowned.org.

Other Co-ops Grow 🌱

  • Sustainergy, the 2nd oldest co-op in our network, grew 30% and made substantial strides in expanding their solar arm. They also welcomed 3 new worker-owners. Sustainergy currently provides family-sustaining jobs to 11 full-time workers.

  • A Touch of TLC Home Care is logging more hours after being approved for Ohio's PASSPORT Medicaid waiver program, which helps Medicaid-eligible older Ohioans get the long-term services and support they need. They also secured a $40K line of credit. 

  • Queen City Commons continued to grow in 2022, collecting 235,789 pounds of food scraps during the year! They now have 180+ drop-off members and 20+ Cincy orgs and businesses who compost.

  • Cincy Cleaning Co-op now has a team of 5 who are working 6 days a week.

  • Massage for the People is now using the Dillard Center for appointments. They formed a Board of Directors. They also had a bodywork workshop in September.

  • Queen Mother's Market has continued to fundraise to launch a brick-and-mortar co-op grocery store in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. Meanwhile, their buyer's club has been providing access to healthy, affordable foods, including to seniors. Said customer Betty Cooper: "Please continue this program! We like the good quality of the fruit and vegetables! And it’s especially nice in the winter to get produce delivery here so us seniors don’t have to fight the snow."

Movement

  • Help make Cincinnati more sustainable by taking a look at the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan and offering your comments! You can see the draft plan at greencincinnatiplan.org. Public comment is open from 1/17-2/8.

  • Attorneys, organizational leaders, accountants, and others gathered at the 3rd Biennial Ohio Cooperative Law Conference in Columbus on Jan 24 & 25. Co-op Cincy Co-Director Kristen Barker was a panelist, as were Margery Spinney and Carol Smith of Renting Partnerships.

  • The U.S. Congress has passed legislation that would give $50 million in funding for employee ownership! Woohoo!

  • Workers at an electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio voted to unionize!

  • A worker-owned masa co-op that launched in Philadelphia about a year ago is looking to test its concept on a larger scale in 2023.

Events

The new world can't wait. Help us build an economy that works for all!

Sign up for our newsletter

Co-op Cincy on Instagram