Cooperative Development Services empowers communities and creates just economies through cooperation. That means we support groups as they envision how their collaboration might provide needed services in their communities: like grocery stores and movie theaters; how workers can become owners…

CDS empowers communities and creates just economies through cooperation. In the midst of a pandemic and challenging economic times, we are receiving unprecedented requests for assistance. Just since August, CDS has opened project files for three new startups as well…

Between January and May 2021, CDS will offer an online co-op feasibility training course, provide individualized consulting to 3-4 new or existing co-ops in Minneapolis, and offer free 1-hour webinars on worker ownership conversion and real estate investment co-ops, all…

It’s time to plan for federal grant applications. In August we announced successful applications worth $458,000 for three clients in the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program. This program will provide cost-shared support for feasibility studies, business plans or working…

One of our most recent clients just opened for business: www.quiltshopcoop.com! Quilt Shop Co-op (QSC) is on its way to becoming a full-service shop selling fabric, notions, and patterns, and offering classes for quilters at any skill level, from beginner…

On August 25, 2020 we presented in a University of Minnesota Extension Service webinar on Retaining Rural Businesses Through Conversion to Employee Ownership. A generation of American business owners is retiring, yet many lack a plan to transition their business…