In The News

Governor Scott Proclaims October as Employee Ownership Month!

News Story: 

As Vermont's employee-owned companies celebrate Employee Ownership month in a diversity of ways, including the annual Employee Owners of Vermont fundraiser to benefit the Vermont Food Bank, we're pleased to announce that Governor Scott has issued an official proclamation recognizing Employee Ownership Month and the vital contributions Vermont's employee owned companies make to Vermont's economy:

The Main Street Employee Ownership Act Becomes Law!

News Story: 

After following its progress through Congress over the past year, the Main Street Employee Ownership Act was signed into law on August 12th!

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. Such loans, which the SBA guarantees up to 85% up to $5 million, will be a significant new tool in the box for business owners considering selling to their employees.

Conversation with Thomas Dudley of "Certified Employee Owned"

News Story: 

Thomas Dudley of the new "Certified Employee Owned" program discusses its approach and goals with VEOC Associate Director Matt Cropp!

170-Employee VHV Company Goes ESOP!

News Story: 

Another great company has joined the ranks of Vermont's employee ownership community: Vermont Heating and Ventilating (VHV)! Founded in 1949 and currently employing ~170 people, 3rd generation owner David Brown recently announced the sale of 100% of the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), who stated in a press release that:

Reflections on the 2016 Worker Cooperative National Conference: Elias Gardner

News Story: 

The 2016 Worker Cooperative National Conference, hosted by The US Federation of Worker Cooperatives and The Democracy at Work Institute, was held this year in Austin, Texas, just blocks away from the Texas Capitol Building.

Northern Border Regional Commission Grant Received!

News Story: 

The VEOC is excited to announce that we were selected as one of the fourteen Vermont organizations to receive a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission! The Commission, which funds economic and community development initiatives in economically challenged areas on the northern border with Canada, recognized the value of employee ownership as an effective strategy for job retention via successful business owners

Welcoming Vermont's Newest, and Largest, Worker Co-op: The New School of Montpelier!

News Story: 

After more than a year of conversations with staff, meetings with experts, and negotiations with financial institutions, we're excited to announce the completion of the conversion of the New School of Montpelier into a worker co-op! Financed via a combination of employee investments, the Vermont Economic Development Authority, the Cooperative Fund of New England, and our own revolving loan fund, the New School of Montpelier is now the largest worker cooperative in Vermont.

Videographer Needed for June 2nd Conference!

News Story: 

The Vermont Employee Ownership Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, is seeking a videographer for our annual conference at Saint Michael's College on Tuesday June 2, 2015.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - In The News