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Worker Cooperative Support Program <br />Attachment 1 <br />October 16, 2018 <br />City of Santa Ana <br />p' Administrative <br />Policies and Procedures <br />Executive Director, <br />Community Development <br />Agency Authorization <br />Subject <br />Date <br />I Number <br />October 2018 <br />WORKER COOPERATIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM <br />Purpose and Intent <br />The purpose of this program is to encourage and support the development of worker - <br />owned businesses in Santa Ana by creating new markets and providing technical <br />support to enable worker cooperatives to grow and succeed in the City. A worker <br />cooperative is a business owned and operated solely by its workers. Worker <br />cooperatives provide local goods and services, stable jobs, and economic opportunities <br />for lower income workers. Cooperatives build local leadership and business skills and <br />assists individuals with significant barriers to employment, while keeping wealth and jobs <br />local and positively impacting those affected by local inequities. <br />This program will promote economic development that creates resilient and <br />democratic enterprises, reduces poverty, and enhances the public safety, health, and <br />welfare of the City. The establishment of this program will also raise awareness of the <br />worker cooperative business model and conversion to worker ownership. <br />Policies <br />1. Designate City Liaison and broaden specialization of staff to include worker <br />cooperative expertise within the Economic Development Division of the <br />Community Development Agency. Staff will work with community organizations, <br />cooperative developers, stakeholders and existing worker cooperatives to <br />evaluate and assist in the removal of barriers to development and growth, assist <br />in identifying potential incentives and financial resources, and promote worker <br />cooperative conversion as a path to worker ownership. <br />2. Coordinate business development efforts and develop partnerships among <br />the cooperative ecosystem (City departments, worker cooperatives, <br />technical assistance providers, financial institutions). Staff will coordinate <br />efforts to support and promote worker cooperatives with other City Agencies to <br />19D-5 <br />