Are you considering providing a Member Loan? If you are a member of Co-op Market and a resident of the State of Alaska  here is some information that may be helpful in informing your decision.

Did you know that co-ops all over the country have raised start up capital with member loans? One co-op that comes to mind is Friendly City Food Co-op in West Virginia, a soon to open co-op of a similiar size to ours, achieved $600,000 in loans from 200 members.

Another food co-op that had a successful Member Loan campaign is Just Food Co-op in Northfield, Minnesota. They have been open close to 5 years and are enormously successful.

What are the risks? To find out more about the risks and benefits of this social investment email us at co-opmarketoutreach@ak.net or call 457-1023 and we will send you the full disclosure documents.

You may also find useful information from the website of CDS Consulting Co-op. Bill Gessner, Mel Braverman, and Tami Bauers have helped us enormously with their technical assistance. They have a wealth of knowledge about the development of food co-ops.

For more information about this business model go to the Weaver’s Way site. There are several sources listed at the bottom of the page.

Our Member Loan Disclosure Documents, the Business Plan and Financial Pro Forma are all available electronically by request. Hard copies are available at the office and we are happy to mail Disclosure Documents out. Email Mary at Co-opMarketOutreach@ak.net.

Call our office – 457-1023 or call 347-4463 if you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss this program.

All are welcome to drop by the Volunteer Office any week day afternoon. It is located at 540 4th Ave. in suite 102B – Under the Vet Center.