Bipartisan Federal Procurement Bill Would Expand Incentives for 100% ESOP Contractors

Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) have introduced S. 4623, the AGILE Procurement Act of 2022, which includes a provision to extend the pilot program established in the National Defense Authorization Act that allows 100% ESOP-owned companies to qualify for sole-source follow-on contracting with the Department of Defense.  

CHIPS Act Adds Employee Ownership to Manufacturing and Innovation Training Programs

Congress has passed HR 4346, the CHIPS Act (previously called the America Competes Act), which now heads to the President for signature. The bipartisan bill is primarily designed to make it easier for American chip and other technology manufacturers to compete worldwide, but it also contains a pilot provision (Section 25B) that directs Manufacturing Extension Programs (MEPs) to provide awards for a variety of worker education and training programs, including employee ownership.

House Committee Urges SBA to Fully Implement Main Street EO Act

The House Appropriations Committee urged the SBA to fully implement the Main Street Employee Ownership Act (MSEOA), which was passed in 2018 but has seen only limited use because the SBA issued standard operating procedures that directly undermine the intent of the Act.

Using Skill Assessments to Improve Ownership Culture

At an NCEO Innovative Communication Coalition network meeting on July 18, communication team leaders from a number of NCEO member companies discussed how they use skill assessments.

Academic Fellows in Employee Ownership: 2022 to 2023

The Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University announced the latest scholars awarded fellowships to study employee ownership and related topics for the coming academic year.

Is Captive Insurance Right for You?

The OWN Health captive members recently came together for their first annual member meeting in Denver, CO, to discuss captive growth, stability, and performance. The common theme was the importance of connection—from connecting with fellow OWN members and leveraging peer group support to connecting with fellow ESOP companies to share how an ESOP captive could benefit their company.