The Co-op Cultivators of Greater Brockton (CCGB)

A New Economy
for Brockton

The Co-op Cultivators of Greater Brockton (CCGB), part of Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC), in partnership with affiliated organizations to grow a cooperative ecosystem, together envision Brockton, Massachusetts as a thriving network of cooperative ventures where people are the masters of their lives and economic destinies and “own” their bodies. We support the development of cooperatively-owned and managed businesses, yielding new opportunities for meaningful employment and a greater sense of self-worth for our residents.

The cooperative model has long been the standard for creating fair and healthy living environments, successfully integrating work and rest. It is time for the people of Brockton to adopt this economic model, and create a vibrant, thriving economy for all of us.

Since the 1950s, cooperative economies have been blossoming around the world. With income inequality reaching epic proportions in the United States in recent decades, more attention has been focused on building democratically run, worker-owned cooperatives (co-ops) to solve local economic crises. Our initiatives have evolved in response to the particular needs and resources of the local community.

As one of our members stated: “In order for us to live here, to stay here, to THRIVE here, we have to organize and own. We, the citizens of this city, need to do the development with our own hands. We need to keep our dollars circulating internally so we can bolster and fuel our economic engine. By creating cooperatives, we have a mechanism that our neighbors and fellow citizens can buy into to keep their hands on the wheel of their own destiny.”

CCGB has hosted a variety of trainings and events. See below for upcoming events or see our past events.

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Co-op 101 Training

3-day training:

Saturday, May 10 from 10AM to 2PM

Saturday, May 17 from 10AM to 2PM

Saturday, May 24 from 10AM to 2PM

Location: Soirée District, 1274 Main Street, Brockton MA

Lunch included.

Are you thinking of starting a business? Curious about how to accomplish this goal with a team instead of going it alone? Our three-day Cooperative Entrepreneurship Workshop will cover the nuts and bolts of launching a new business, and will include special considerations for worker-owned cooperative businesses. 

In this training you will learn:

  • What life is like as an entrepreneur

  • How to build a great team, practice constructive communication, and manage conflict

  • How to develop branding and marketing that will speak to your customers effectively

  • The options for structuring your business, whether an LLC, corporation, S-Corp, or cooperative

  • An introduction to co-ops and some history of cooperative businesses

  • What steps you need to take to get started, and the pitfalls to avoid

At the end of this training, you will have a clearer idea of what it takes to launch a new business, and how a cooperative structure can help both you and your community.

This training is being offered by the Co-op Cultivators of Greater Brockton, a project of Brockton Interfaith Community, in collaboration with Black Owned Brockton, Resilient Roses Respite, Coach Bri Nichols, Friends and Mentors, and CoopMatters LLC, with funding from the Massachusetts Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program.

“If you want to fly fast, fly alone.  If you want to fly far, fly together”

Contact BIC for more information.

Youth Cooperative Development Program

April 21, 22, and 23, 2025

This workshop gives youth a valuable opportunity to learn about cooperative businesses and develop business ideas with their peers.

CCGB has developed many initiatives since its inception. Below is information for small business professionals regarding cooperative business ownership. Additionally, below you will find a link for preserving Brockton businesses.

Intro to Cooperative Ownership for Small Business Support Professionals

See the recording and download the guide from this event! Click on the Resources button below, and fill out a short form.

Preserving Brockton Businesses

CCGB is working to preserve businesses in Brockton by considering a succession plan for those businesses that may have an owner who is ready to retire. The cooperative business model can be a sustainable option for businesses by selling to the workers instead of closing down.

Help us identify businesses to keep in the neighborhood.

By filling out this form, you can help us to preserve businesses in Brockton!