About

CDS provides organizational and developmental guidance to communities seeking to start new co-ops in all sectors of the economy and planning assistance to existing co-ops seeking to expand.

The first cooperative development organization of its kind, CDS delivers business services to cooperatives and producer-owned businesses. We specialize in applying the cooperative business model and are innovative in applying this model to new sectors and emerging business ventures.

CDS serves clients within any co-op sector, though we have particular skill and experience in those sectors related to agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community development.

Our preferred clients are:

• Cooperatives
• Members of cooperatives or credit unions
• Groups that want to form a cooperative
• LLCs or group-owned businesses that operate under cooperative principles or that leverage cooperation as a business advantage
• Not cooperatives, but are sponsored by a cooperative