We here at Coop.org feel that Earth Day is part of the embodiment of what we stand for.   Cooperation and collaboration can help the world in tremendous ways.  Simply connecting with others, communicating and increasing your knowledge is a great start!  Beyond that, joining in the festivities and making even more meaningful contributions can also make a very positive impact.  As EarthDay.org states…

“Over one billion people in 192 countries are participating from London to Sao Paolo, Seoul to Babylon City, New Delhi to New York, Rome to Cairo; people everywhere are taking action in their communities…”

Be a part of your world now and in the future.  Join our Facebook discussion to share what you are doing to help the world today, tomorrow and the whole year.

https://www.facebook.com/coop.org

Enjoy the earth.

~ The Cooperators at Coop.org

Neighborhood Bonds are one way to raise community money for something like a food co-op.

Having  grown up in Ft.Collins a recent article about a Food Co-op expansion in Ft. Collins, Colorado caught my eye. What I found extremely interesting is how they are looking to finance the new project. The Co-op is currently located at 250 E. Mountain Avenue and has limited parking and room to grow. To service the needs of its member-owners, the co-op must triple its retail space. To do this, they are considering a new downtown site with enough room to accommodate its expansion and long sought-after community market and kitchen. The Co-op is looking at fulfilling a vision conceived by the Downtown Development Authority for a community marketplace and kitchen.

A feasibility study released in 2011 showed the desire for a project anchored by both the co-op and a community marketplace that could provide space for a year-round farmers market, kitchen and demonstration area. Now, the co-op might be able to take the lead on bringing that project to fruition. The co-op is eyeing a new method of funding that would allow the community to buy bonds for as little as $200. A Co-op in Madison, Wisconsin used this financing tool to help raise $600,000 in 60 days. I have never heard of this type of method of fund raising in the cooperative space, but can see how it could be very effective.

When I think of bonds, I either think of my 101.5 year grandfather who just passed away, and was a big fan of Treasury Bonds, as they provided a low risk, and low interest bearing investment. On the flip side, my brother works in the commercial real-estate field and has educated me a bit on how mortgages are packaged and sold as bonds to investors. With these two examples, I would be curious to learn more about how exactly the Neighborhood Bond is structured and presented to the community of investors and stakeholders?

Link to original:

Collaboration creates affordable green homes

If you are interested in working with me to get something started in the area. Please be in touch.

Kenny Bavoso 503.969.1836