What is a Worker Cooperative?

A Worker Cooperative (also called a worker-owned or employee-owned cooperative (or coop) is a business that operates pursuant to a cooperative business model which prioritizes its employees and the communities it serves. Some characteristics of a worker cooperative include employees being owners (called “Members”) –that is they receive profits (or loses) from the business as […]

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What is a Purchasing Cooperative and What are its Advantages?

Purchasing cooperatives (also called Shared Services Cooperatives) in Ohio normally have members that are businesses or organizations, as opposed to individual consumers.  Members of purchasing coops come together to be able to purchase in bulk needs goods or supplies for their enterprises, as well as to share in the costs of marketing (or delivering) their […]

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What is a Cooperative Business Model?

If you are thinking of starting a business (whether for profit or nonprofit) in Ohio or have an existing business and are exploring options to retire but let your business live on, it is important that know about cooperative business models.  A cooperative or coop…

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Using “Coop”, Co-op”, or “Cooperative” in a Business Name in Ohio

First, let us be clear that the terms “Coop”, Co-op”, or “Cooperative” can be used interchangeably.  However, these terms are umbrella terms that do not necessarily imply the particular legal structure of the business to which they are attached.  For example, business and organizations sometimes use the term “coop” in their business name even though […]

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