The ICA Group

??? Building Community Wealth through Shared Ownership The City of St. Paul is taking a significant step toward economic justice by creating local funds focused on shared ownership and building community wealth. This initiative is designed to give communities of color and workers the opportunity to invest in and own the businesses that serve them. This is exactly the kind of worker ownership model we champion at ICA, where shared prosperity and economic democracy drive long-term success. Building cooperatives and providing opportunities for shared ownership creates a resilient, inclusive economy that puts people at the center. We’re excited to see more cities embrace this model as a way to tackle inequality and strengthen local economies. ?? Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03dppkw0 Twin Cities Startup Week (TCSW) Nexus Community Partners #CommunityWealth #WorkerCooperatives #EconomicDemocracy #SharedOwnership #InclusiveEconomy #LocalEconomies

?? A Worker Cooperative Leading the Way in Sustainability In a world that often values disposability, "Fix It, Don’t Toss It" shows how a worker cooperative model can lead the charge toward a repair economy. This cooperative embraces sustainability, resourcefulness, and reparative practices, ensuring that goods are repaired and reused rather than discarded. At ICA, we believe this approach exemplifies the future of cooperative ownership — one that not only empowers workers but also contributes to environmental sustainability and community well-being. We want to see more worker cooperatives take similar approaches in reshaping industries, building long-term value, and tackling environmental issues. ?? Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03d6pBY0 Hudson Valley One Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress #WorkerCooperatives #RepairEconomy #Sustainability #EconomicDemocracy #CooperativeEconomy #EnvironmentalResponsibility

?? Putting People First Pays Dividends At Extra Extra, a cooperative business in Buffalo, putting employees at the center has led to better pay, greater job satisfaction, and overall growth. This commitment to employee ownership demonstrates the long-term value of putting people first in business. In their cooperative model, workers aren’t just employees; they’re owners with a voice in decisions, ensuring that profit-sharing and success are distributed more equitably. This is a model that democratizes work, builds stronger communities, and creates more resilient businesses. Extra Extra is a shining example of how employee ownership fosters economic democracy and shared prosperity for all. ?? Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q03d64Pc0 Buffalo Rising #EmployeeOwnership #WorkerCoops #EconomicDemocracy #SharedProsperity #BuffaloBusiness #CooperativeEconomy

?? Worker Cooperatives: The Key to a Stronger Labor Future We're thrilled to see ICA featured in On Labor's recent article, "Labor Law in Crisis: The Case for Worker Cooperatives." The article highlights the growing need for worker cooperatives as a sustainable solution to the crisis in labor law, offering a path toward worker empowerment, economic democracy, and business resilience. As the article points out, worker cooperatives not only provide a fairer distribution of wealth but also serve as a model for long-term success in industries that have traditionally left workers behind. At ICA, we are committed to facilitating the creation and support of worker cooperatives across the U.S., as we believe that this model is key to building a more equitable and resilient economy. ?? Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03dppbK0 #WorkerCooperatives #EconomicDemocracy #WorkerEmpowerment #BusinessResilience #LaborLaw #OnLabor

? Happening tomorrow! If you’re a business owner in NYC, don’t miss this hybrid event on March 27th focused on future-proofing your business and preparing for long-term success. Topics include: ? Business valuation strategies ? Protecting your assets ? Succession planning & employee ownership options Whether you’re thinking about retirement or just want to build a more resilient business, this session offers practical tools to get you there. ?? Last chance to register: https://hubs.li/Q038RKDg0 #NYCBusiness #BusinessSuccession #EmployeeOwnership #FutureProofing #SmallBusinessSupport

?? Massachusetts Business Support: Grow with Employee Ownership! ?? We’re offering FREE support to all businesses across Massachusetts looking to grow through employee ownership. Our services include: Conversion support for employee ownership Business wellness assessments Governance audits and recommendations Financial coaching & loan readiness support While our program is open to all, we have a special focus on Gateway City, Veteran-owned, and Latino-owned businesses as part of our outreach efforts. Mass Black Expo Massachusetts Small Business Development Center The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce, Inc Massachusetts Veterans Chamber of Commerce Boston Impact Initiative National Veteran Business Development Council - NVBDC National Veteran Small Business Coalition - NVSBC ?? Get started today: https://hubs.li/Q03dkqbV0 #MassachusettsBusiness #EmployeeOwnership #Cooperatives #GatewayCities #VeteranOwned #LatinoOwned

?? Cooperatives are reshaping the gig economy. In Colorado, a new chapter of The Drivers Cooperative is taking root — giving rideshare drivers collective ownership, better pay, and a real voice in how their platform operates. As this Nonprofit Quarterly piece highlights, the Drivers Co-op isn’t just a business alternative — it's a strategy for workers to reclaim power in an industry often defined by precarity and exploitation. At ICA, we’re inspired by co-op models like this that put economic power directly into workers' hands — especially in fast-growing, tech-driven industries like rideshare. Whether it’s converting an existing business or launching a new cooperative, worker ownership is a powerful tool for equity and resilience. ?? Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03cYnWk0 #WorkerOwnership #GigEconomy #WorkerCoops #EconomicDemocracy #PlatformCooperativism #TheDriversCoop

?? Why Employee Ownership is the Missing Key to Wealth-Building A growing number of studies highlight what many in the cooperative movement have long known: shared ownership models are a proven path to economic security. This AOL article explores how employee ownership structures—like worker cooperatives and ESOPs—help build wealth for working people while strengthening businesses and communities. ?? Key takeaways:?? Closing the wealth gap – Employee-owned companies provide workers with equity stakes, creating long-term financial security.?? Stronger businesses – Firms with employee ownership often report higher productivity, lower turnover, and greater resilience during economic downturns.?? Community impact – Keeping wealth in the hands of workers helps stabilize local economies and preserve jobs. At ICA, we work with businesses across industries to facilitate ownership transitions that put power—and financial stability—into the hands of workers. This model isn’t just about economics; it’s about reshaping the future of work for shared prosperity. ?? Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03cHJTF0 #EmployeeOwnership #WorkerCoops #WealthBuilding #EconomicDemocracy #SharedProsperity

?? Employee Ownership in Law Firms: A New Frontier? Could law firms embrace employee ownership? This recent Lawyers Weekly article explores how shared ownership models could reshape the legal industry, fostering greater equity, collaboration, and firm sustainability. Lawyers Of Color Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly ?? Key considerations:?? Pros: A more democratic governance model could improve retention, enhance firm stability, and increase profitability through collective investment in firm growth.?? Challenges: Traditional legal industry structures often limit non-lawyer ownership, requiring regulatory shifts to make employee ownership widely accessible. As industries across the economy embrace worker ownership, could the legal profession be next? This article provides an insightful look at the potential for transformation. ?? Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03c4xnC0 #EmployeeOwnership #LawFirms #BusinessSuccession #EconomicDemocracy #SharedProsperity

Without a clear succession plan, even the most successful businesses are at risk of losing value when an owner decides to retire, sell, or step back. Too often, small businesses close simply because there was no transition strategy in place — leaving workers without jobs, communities without vital services, and owners without the full value of what they built. Succession planning is about protecting your legacy and ensuring your business thrives long after you move on. For NYC business owners, we’re hosting a free hybrid event on March 27th to explore practical strategies for protecting your business value — including employee ownership as a succession option. ?? Register here: https://hubs.li/Q038RL5b0 #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessSuccession #BusinessValuation #FutureProofing #NYCBusiness #EmployeeOwnership #SmallBusinessSupport