March 6, 2020

Investing in Main Street

Investing in Main Street

Written by Aasa Marshall

Community Investment Co-ops are an exciting way to support community development. They allow people to invest in Main Street, or the local businesses and initiatives in small town. A CIC — also known as an Opportunity Development Co-op in Alberta — pools the investment money of local residents, and lends it to start-ups, uses it for renewable energy projects, and more. Investors get to see their dollars at work in their own backyards, and get a return on their money as well.

Investment co-op experts Seth Leon with the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association in Calgary, and Eden Yesh with Kootenay Employment Services in Creston, BC, talk to us about this great model.

Links referred to in this episode:

BC Community Investment Co-op Start-up and Operations guide

Co-operatives First articles:

Sangudo, AB – How investing locally can help save rural main streets

Creston, BC – Grow your community by investing locally

The Backroad Diaries video: “We’re Building Community” in Sangudo, AB

Alberta Community and Co-operative Association: Unleashing Local Capital

Back

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

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Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

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Ananda Cooperative

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South East Butcher Block