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Worker Cooperatives in US.
Good morning! I'd be happy to provide you with some news on worker cooperatives in the United States. Here are a few recent developments:
In April 2021, the American Jobs Plan proposed by President Biden included funding for the development of worker-owned cooperatives. The plan aims to create jobs and promote economic growth through the expansion of worker-owned businesses.
In March 2021, the state of Maryland passed legislation establishing a task force to study the feasibility of creating a public bank that would support worker cooperatives and other small businesses. The bill was championed by the Maryland-based Democracy Collaborative, which advocates for worker ownership and economic democracy.
In February 2021, the New York City Council approved a bill that establishes a citywide Office of Employee Ownership. The office will be responsible for promoting worker cooperatives and other employee-owned businesses, as well as providing resources and support for existing co-ops.
In January 2021, the Boston Ujima Project, a community development organization focused on promoting economic democracy and racial equity, launched a new initiative to support the development of worker-owned cooperatives in Boston's neighborhoods. The initiative includes a fund to provide capital for co-op development, as well as technical assistance and training for co-op members.
In November 2020, the city of Madison, Wisconsin approved a new program to provide financial assistance to worker cooperatives and other employee-owned businesses. The program, called the Madison Cooperative Business Coalition Fund, is a partnership between the city and local co-op organizations.
These are just a few examples of the growing interest in worker cooperatives and employee ownership in the United States. As more people recognize the benefits of shared ownership and democratic decision-making in the workplace, we can expect to see continued growth in the cooperative sector.