Giving employees a share: reflections on the VEOC conference
As an intern at VEOC and first-time attendee my one takeaway from this conference is that to build community resilience and sustainability companies must consider employee ownership as a viable business approach.
VEOC Conversion Technical Assistance Grant Program
Thanks to the 2022 earmark from Senator Bernie Sanders, the VEOC is thrilled to announce the availability of $50,000 in technical assistance grant dollars for those interested in exploring employee ownership!
Biden signs WORK Act for Employee Ownership Outreach and Education
Included in the Omnibus was the Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement to Supplement Healthy Investments for the Nest Egg (RISE & SHINE) Act of 2022, which includes the Worker Ownership, Readiness, & Knowledge Act (WORK Act).
Employee Owners of Vermont raise over $30,000 for Vermont Foodbank during Employee Ownership Month
In celebration of Employee Ownership Month, the Employee Owners of Vermont, an active group of local employee-owned companies, raised more than $30,865 and collected 480 pounds of food in October for the group’s fifth annual fundraiser for the Vermont Foodbank.
With Assistance from VEOC, Austin Design transitions to a Worker-Owned Cooperative
The New England architecture firm has long taken a different approach to its design work. Now it has joined the movement for a different type of ownership.
Gardener’s Supply CEO & President Cindy Turcot reflects on 2022 Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership
VEOC board treasurer and Gardener's Supply executive Cindy Turcot participated in the symposium at Oxford on September 7 & 8.
Keeping cool in summer’s heat with workplace democracy
On July 21, with the weekend forecast showing no relief, the worker-owners announced their decision to temporarily reduce the cafe's weekend hours to avoid the hottest part of the day.
With few Vermonters owning their homes, employee ownership presents an opportunity
Historically, owning a home has been the primary avenue for Americans to have a stake within their local communities, while owning a business has been another powerful means of local ownership for a much smaller subset of the population. Today, however, we’re at an historic moment where broad-based employee ownership is gaining momentum across the nation.
In recognition of SBDC Day, centers for Employee Ownership reflect on their partnerships with Small Business Development Centers
Representatives at employee ownership organizations across the country tell why they are proud to be SBDC Ambassadors, and how they are partnering with state SBDCs to broaden capital ownership and help build stronger businesses and resilient communities.
Sen. Sanders secures $158,000 for VEOC
The center will use the funds to reach more Vermont business owners and entrepreneurs, administer technical assistance grants to businesses considering or converting to employee ownership, and create legal resources to simplify employee ownership transactions for Vermont business owners, employee groups, and entrepreneurs.
State Small Business Credit Initiative funds: an opportunity for employee ownership in Vermont
SSBCI specifically created an opening for states to use their programs to finance employee ownership transitions.
With recent acquisition, Rutland print group ready to embrace employee ownership
With the aim of diversifying its graphics and printing offerings, Tuttle Printing, d/b/a QuickPrint of Rutland, has purchased Green Screen Graphics, combining customers and printing capabilities while bringing Green Screen employees into the fold of Tuttle’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Employee Owners of Vermont raise $30,000 for Vermont Foodbank
Collectively, the group raised $29,923, providing approximately 50,000 meals for kids, seniors, and families who don’t have enough to eat on a regular basis.
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility honors Cindy Turcot for employee ownership advocacy
Turcot received the award in recognition of her dedication to the company’s innovative management style and her commitment and furtherance of employee ownership.
Report finds employee owners far less impacted by COVID-19 economic downturn
According to a recent survey from John Zogby Strategies, employee owners are doing better all-around than traditional employees during the pandemic.
Vermont Computing Co-op Pays it Forward with Vermont Employee Ownership Loan Fund
After converting to worker ownership with the help of the Vermont Employee Ownership Loan Fund in late 2014, Vermont Computing has paid back their loan, creating new opportunities for employee groups seeking to convert their workplace to employee ownership!
The Main Street Employee Ownership Act becomes law!
Among other elements, the Act makes the conversion of a business to employee ownership via a worker co-op or Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans.
Starting a Movement! Employee Owners of Vermont impacting our communities
We’ve chosen to call our group “Employee Owners of Vermont.” Our plan was not to promote any individual company, but rather to represent employee owners as a community that is connected in our common beliefs.
170-employee VHV Company goes ESOP!
After being a privately held company since its inception, VHV became a 100% employee-owned company in early 2017 with the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP. Now, the employee-owners contribute to the progress and plan for the company together at its Annual Employee-Owner Meeting.