Related Links

The National Center for Employee Ownership
www.nceo.org

A private, nonprofit membership and research organization that is a source of information on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), broadly granted employee stock options and related programs, and ownership culture. A publisher and research source in the field, NCEO holds workshops and conferences, and provides services to thousands of members.

Foundation for Enterprise Development and Beyster Institute for Entrepreneurial Employee Ownership
www.beysterinstitute.org

A non-profit education, training and consulting organization dedicated to advancing the use of entrepreneurial employee ownership worldwide.

The Ohio Employee Ownership Center
www.kent.edu/oeoc

A non-profit, university-based program established in 1987 to provide outreach, information, and preliminary technical assistance to Ohio employees and business owners interested in exploring employee ownership. The OEOC provides ownership training on a single and multi-company basis to existing employee-owned firms. The OEOC has been very helpful to VEOC and is a fine resource on employee ownership.

Sources of Information on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)

The ESOP Association
www.esopassociation.org

A national, non-profit association dedicated to employee ownership with a focus on ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) and employee ownership. Companies with employee ownership and service providers with a professional commitment to these plans form the Association's membership. The Association is a source of educational materials and meetings for management of employee-owned companies. The Association is an advocate before Congress and regulatory agencies for employee ownership laws.

The New England Chapter of the ESOP Association
www.new-england-esop.com

A regional chapter of the ESOP Association, New England Chapter’s primary activity is presenting a variety of programs during the year. Their workshops expose employees to a variety of topics, including ownership behavior and technical ESOP issues.

Sources of Information on Worker Cooperatives

The University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (UWCC)
http://www.wisc.edu/uwcc/

Established in 1962 as the International Cooperative Training Center. Although international cooperative education remains a responsibility of UWCC, their programs now touch all types of domestic cooperatives.

The ICA Group
www.ica-group.org/

The ICA Group is a not-for-profit organization which seeks to create and save jobs through the development and strengthening of employee-owned cooperatives and community-based projects. ICA provides a full range of business consulting and technical assistance services, education, and financing to clients working in or seeking to start worker-owned and community-based businesses. This page from their website gives answers to FAQs about worker cooperatives.

South Mountain Company
www.somoco.com/

An employee-owned, resource-conscious design/build firm located on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Their goal is to serve several constituencies at once - employees, clients, community, and region - in a way that nurtures and strengthens all. Founder John Abrams is a featured speaker at VEOC seminars and we highly recommend the SMC website.

A Sampling of Vermont Employee-Owned Companies

Carris Reels, Inc. www.carris.com

Chroma Technology, Inc. www.chroma.com

Gardener’s Supply Co., Inc. www.gardeners.com

Hallam Associates, Inc. www.hallam.com

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. www.greenmountaincoffee.com

King Arthur Flour, Inc. www.kingarthurflour.com

Red House Building, Inc. www.redhousebuilding.com

Trust Company of Vermont www.tcvermont.com

Sources of General Information on Small Business Management

There are many excellent sources of information available, but we want to acknowledge here our special relationship with the Vermont Small Business Development Center and recommend them as an excellent place to seek assistance with general business issues or training needs.