Join us in Saskatoon on May 27^th to learn about Alberta’s booming Opportunity Development Co-operatives program and how this program could apply to Saskatchewan. An Opportunity Development Co-operative (ODC) is a for-profit co-operative that raises capital locally to invest in a local business.

This will be a panel presentation and discussion with:

• Michele Aasgard, Executive Director of the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA) will present an overview of the Unleashing Local Capital program,
• Paul Cabaj, Director of Co-operative Development at Alberta Community and Co-operative Association, and
• Verona Thibault, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Economic Development Association.

From the ACCA website:

The “Unleashing Local Capital” program empowers communities to invest locally, direct their own economic development, and reduce dependency on government supports. It educates rural Albertans on investing locally, and facilitates the establishment of their own Opportunity Development Co-operative (ODC). The Opportunity Development Co-operative (ODC) you incorporate collects capital from local investors and invests it in a local business. It is in the community, for the community, and by the community.  It provides you and other community members with an opportunity to invest your savings into business ventures in your community. It has proven to be extremely successful to support succession of an existing business (where owners are planning to retire), new business, and expansion of an existing business. Moreover, investing in shares in your ODC is RRSP eligible. Best of all, it ensures that important local businesses, jobs, and infrastructure remain and thrive in rural communities.

Who Should Attend: Economic Development Officers, Government Agency Representatives, Co-operative Developers, Co-operative and Credit Union Managers, Interested Citizens, SCA Members

Date:               May 27, 2013
Time:              5-6:00 pm
Location:       Basement Training Room at SCA
                       St. Mary’s Branch of Affinity Credit Union, 1515 20^th Street  West, Saskatoon
Cost:              Free / Sponsored by Saskatchewan Co-operative Association