Federal Resources
These federal agencies administer programs that advance employee ownership, expand capital access, and strengthen employee‑owned enterprises.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA promotes cooperatives that are owned and run democratically to support economic development in rural areas. To learn more about how USDA supports cooperatives and explore funding opportunities, visit the USDA’s Rural Cooperative Services website.
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U.S. Department of Commerce
The Departments of Labor and Commerce created the Job Quality Toolkit to help small and medium-sized organizations build a strong workforce. The toolkit includes information on employee ownership and provides guidance on recruiting and retaining top talent.
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U.S. Department of Labor
The Department of Labor launched its Employee Ownership Initiative in 2023 to fulfill the requirements of the WORK Act, section 346 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. Our Employee Ownership Initiative website and resources list will be updated regularly with information on employee ownership and employee participation.
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U.S. Department of the Treasury
Through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), Treasury provides capital and technical assistance to support small business growth. Discover how SSBCI can help finance ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and other employee-owned entities in this fact sheet.
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U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA offers loans and loan guarantees to employee-owned businesses through its 7(a) program and provides additional support through its network of Small Business Development Centers.
