19D - WORKER COOP POLICY - Laserfiche WebLink

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Worker Cooperative Support Program October 16, 2018 assist in the streamlining of permits and city approvals required to start up a worker cooperative. Staff will create a strategy for connecting worker cooperatives with demand markets, technical assistance providers, and resources for financial assistance. Staff will develop partnerships and meet regularly with community- based organizations, existing worker cooperatives, technical and financial partners and others. These meetings will help guide the strategy for worker cooperative development. 3. Identify obstacles deterring local entrepreneurs from starting worker cooperatives, or employees and business owners from converting their businesses to worker cooperatives. There still exist several barriers to the development of worker cooperatives which include: lack of public awareness of its benefits; limited technical support in forming, operating, or converting existing businesses to a worker cooperative; difficulties obtaining financing for cooperative formation or conversion; and high startup costs (permit fees, license fees, lease rates) that many small businesses experience in California. Staff will work to assist in connecting worker cooperatives to the necessary resources to alleviate some of these barriers. The City will also take a proactive position to support legislation that reduces the cost of doing business for worker cooperatives, as well as supporting efforts to remove barriers, decrease unnecessary burden and regulations and assist in the streamlining of starting up a worker cooperative in Santa Ana. 4. Promote knowledge and awareness of worker cooperatives as a local economic development strategy. Staff will promote awareness of worker cooperatives as a business model, economic development strategy, and local wealth creation tool through the City's website, flyers, and informational seminars. 5. Develop City webpage identifying resources for cooperative start-ups and conversion. The City's Economic Development website will feature informational materials about worker cooperatives, including, but not limited to, resources for formation, conversion, financial resources, relevant local and regional events, and a reference list of worker cooperative federations, associations, and development organizations. 6. Promote worker cooperative job opportunities at the City's WORK Center. City staff will proactively promote job opportunities for local worker cooperatives through the City's workforce development job center. 19D-6