What kinds of policies does this database cover?

This database encompasses local-, state-, and federal-level policies related to EO in the U.S., including passed, proposed, and repealed legislation, executive orders, and funding outlays. We have specifically catalogued policies aimed at fostering the most common models of broad-based EO: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), worker cooperatives and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). At the local level, where support for EO often extends beyond codified policy measures, we have also included municipal programs, allocations of staff or budgetary resources, rule changes, and other tangible measures in support of EO businesses. 

What types of policies fall within each of the policy categories?

We have organized these policies using key categories drawn from our policy framework. (Note that these categories are not exclusive: many bills advance EO using policies from multiple categories.)

• Enabling environment: policies that establish a more inclusive legal framework enabling employee-owned businesses of all types to form and operate effectively.
• Awareness raising: policies aimed at educating business owners, their advisors, employees, lenders and others about succession planning and EO options.
• Affordable technical assistance (TA): policies focused on subsidizing employee ownership feasibility assessments and TA for worker-owners.
• Accessible capital: policies designed to increase capital availability and reduce barriers to financing EO.
• Incentives for employee-owned businesses (EOBs): policies that establish tax credits, exemptions, procurement supports or other financial incentives for EOBs.
• Economic development programs: policies that embed education, TA and capital access for EO into government economic development programs.

How was this database created?

This database was created by Project Equity as part of a collaborative research project in partnership with Morehouse College and the University of California, Riverside. To ensure our database is comprehensive and accurate, we leveraged existing resources from leading organizations and research centers focused on EO, including the Center for Community-Based Enterprise, the Democracy at Work Institute, the National Center for Employee Ownership and the UW Center for Cooperatives, which we complemented with independent research and interviews of our own.

Where can I go to learn more?

To learn more about a specific policy, click on the policy name in the table. The “Visit page” links to the legislative page and the “Visit source” links to additional information on that policy. The local database also features further resources at the locality-level. Clicking on a state or locality on the map will open the “additional resources” panel with links to sources and information.

To learn more about EO policy in general, we encourage you to visit Project Equity’s Public Policy page to explore our efforts to advance supportive EO policy measures at the local, state and federal levels.

More information can also be found at the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives (USFWC), National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA).