AS A BUSINESS OWNER
WHAT WILL BE YOUR LEGACY?
Join us! 2024 Georgia Employee Ownership Celebration
Join us for the third annual Employee Ownership Celebration, honoring the ESOPS, co-ops, and other employee-owned businesses leading the charge in Georgia!! We are thrilled to announce this year’s special guests: Misti Martin, President and CEO of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development and the Georgia Be Pro Be Proud initiative, Grant Cagle, President & CEO of the Georgia Economic Development Association, and Justin Farquhar, Vice President of RISE - Regional Industry Support Initiative.
Pre-Sessions:
B-CORP 101
-
Nathan Stuck the Founder & CEO of
Profitable Purpose Consulting
,
Employee Ownership 101 - Julie Bennett -Senior VP of Client Relationships & Transactional Manager at
Aegis Trust,
Co-Op 101 will be facilitated by Audrey Griffin co-Executive Director of
Georgia Cooperative Development Center, and Matthew Epperson Employee Ownership Domain Expert at
Zolidar
and Board Member for
Shared Capital Cooperative!
The Georgia Center for Employee Ownership serves as the central hub for information and resources regarding transitioning Georgia businesses to an employee ownership model
The Silver Tsunami
Our local business landscape is going through a dramatic shift.
Why is this a key moment for employee ownership in GA?
Employee ownership is a business model in which employees collectively own a percentage of the business for which they work. Two of the main forms are Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and worker cooperatives. In both, employees are given a financial stake in the business. As the business prospers, employees prosper.
Over the next 10 years, more than 4 million U.S. businesses owned by retiring baby boomers will change hands or dissolve
More than half of all small business owners do not have a succession plan
Many businesses will be sold and leave the state of MI, or close their doors permanently, resulting in lost jobs, tax base, and community impacts
Why consider employee ownership?
It is an ownership succession plan that preserves jobs and community impacts, while giving the selling shareholders preferred tax treatment
It is a proven strategy for employee recruitment and retention
When employees have a stake in the company’s success, everyone benefits
How can the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership help?
The GACEO’s mission is to educate business owners and their advisors (lawyers, bankers, accountants, wealth advisors) on the benefits of employee ownership via ESOPs, worker cooperatives, and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). GACEO provides resources, case studies and articles, and a list of service providers who can assist with employee ownership transitions. GACEO serves the entire state of Georgia.
Business Succession Planning
Get our free guide to Business Succession Planning and secure your company's future after your exit. Learn exit planning strategies and gain the knowledge and skills to prepare your business for a successful transition.
The Impact of Employee Ownership
According to a 2017 study done by the National Center for Employee Ownership young workers at employee-owned companies benefit in the following ways:
33
Percent Higher Median Income from Wages
92
Percent Higher Household Net Wealth
33
Percent Higher Median Job Tenure
Marie Davis
Executive Director
Interested in becoming employee owned?
Employee ownership is as much of a journey as a destination. The process can be complex, but the rewards - for selling owners, employees, and community alike - can be outstanding. Reach out to Marie to learn more about employee ownership and how to get started on this path.
We’re on a mission to turn the state of Georgia into a place where every working person can also be an employee owner.
© 2023, GACEO 2387 Bradcliff, Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30345