Overview
Create the Walton County Cooperative Group, an advisory-board-supported worker cooperative model that brings major anchor institutions together to solve workforce pipeline barriers. The cooperative would create worker-owned businesses that provide services needed by employers and employees, including transportation, child care and aging adult care, and work-life balance services such as vehicle maintenance and mobile occupational health support.
Action plan
Short-term
Identify 5 anchor institutions. Create the advisory board of anchor institutions. Hire a cooperative project manager. Conduct a feasibility study to better understand employee needs at each anchor institution. Identify funding mechanisms. Select the first employee cooperative business opportunity.
Medium-term
Develop the business plan. Invite additional anchor institutions to join. Launch the first cooperative business. Identify training and workforce pipeline needs for employees. Develop the business plan and launch the second worker cooperative.
Long-term
Recruit and hire employees. Onboard and train cooperative employees. Identify additional employee cooperative opportunities.
Expected impact
Projected Anchor Institution ParticipationInstitutional
Number of anchor institutions identified and participating in the advisory board/cooperative model.
Timeframe: Short-term
Projected Employee RetentionSustainability
Increase in employee retention among participating anchor institutions due to support services.
Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Job Vacancy ReductionEconomic
Reduction in job vacancies among participating anchor institutions.
Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Service UtilizationOperational
Total utilization of cooperative services by anchor institutions, employees, and community members.
Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Cooperative RevenueSustainability
Total revenue generated by worker cooperative businesses.
Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Employee AttendanceOperational
Increase in employee attendance connected to transportation, childcare, and work-life support services.
Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Cooperative Businesses DevelopedEconomic
Number of worker cooperative businesses created under the Walton County Cooperative Group.
Timeframe: Long-term
Projected Residents EmployedEconomic
Number of residents employed by the worker cooperative businesses.
Timeframe: Long-term
Key stakeholders
Development Authority of Walton CountyCity of MonroeWalton CountyAnchor InstitutionsHitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.TakedaWalmart Distribution Center 6055Piedmont WaltonAthens Technical CollegeWalton County Campus of Athens Technical CollegeWalton County Health Care FoundationWalton Economic Development Authority
Estimated budget
Walton County Cooperative Group: $110,000 startup, $63,000 in years 2-3, $65,000 in 3+ years. Transportation: $205,000 startup, $81,000 in years 2-3, $71,000 in 3+ years. Child Care: $355,000 startup, $387,000 in years 2-3, $425,000 in 3+ years. Services to Improve Work-Life Balance: $55,000 startup, $70,000 in years 2-3, $43,000 in 3+ years.