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Interagency Working Group on Co-op Development will launch series with June 30 meeting on housing co-ops

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Next week’s meeting will include an introduction to the Working Group’s new website.

Housing cooperatives are first topic in a lineup of Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development meetings to take place this summer and fall. Meetings will also focus on food systems, real estate and childcare, and conclude with a session envisioning an equitable cooperative ecosystem. The housing meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 30 from 2 to 3:30 pm EDT. Please see meeting dates, times and links below.

Meetings will be kicked off by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development leadership. A panel of private sector representatives will describe the needs of the particular cooperative sector. A second panel of Federal government representatives will discuss how current programs can meet the needs of cooperatives and brainstorm ideas for additional solutions. Each meeting will provide an opportunity for robust discussion.

During the meetings, USDA Cooperative Services will demonstrate their new Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development website. The website is intended to connect government and private sector partners with each other and share their information and financial resources with cooperatives and individuals seeking to form or strengthen cooperatives. A blue feedback tab on the right allows website users to tell USDA Cooperative Services how well the website is working.

The cooperative form of business allows people to meet a common need for essential goods and services that oftentimes has been overlooked by the market. Cooperatives exist in almost every industry including housing, childcare, health care, financial services, housing, electricity, broadband and grocery. Cooperatives operate in the supply chain, agriculture and education, and preserve local jobs when a retiring owner converts their business to a cooperative.

The Interagency Working Group meetings occur as a result of the 2014 Farm Bill mandate that the Agriculture Secretary “chair an interagency working group to foster cooperative development and ensure coordination with federal agencies and… cooperative organizations.” 7 U.S.C. section 1932(e)(12)

Forthcoming Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development Meetings

Housing Cooperatives

Friday, June 30; 2-3:30 pm EDT

Cooperatives in the Food Chain

Friday, July 14; 2-3:30 pm EDT

Childcare Cooperatives

Friday, August 11; 2-3:30 pm EDT

Real Estate Cooperatives

Friday, September 15; 2-3:30 pm EDT

Envisioning an Equitable Cooperative Ecosystem

Friday, October 13; 2-3:30 pm EDT

For more information about this meeting series, please email coopinfo@usda.gov.

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