What proportion of Goal 1 overall is complete at this point?
80%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that impacted goal 1 in the last month?
This month, RI’s community engagement efforts focused on expanding awareness and access to manufacturing-related programs at Daley College and Olive-Harvey College. Key activities included hosting informational workshops and participating in open houses and career fairs to connect prospective students with manufacturing education pathways and developing outreach materials in collaboration with both colleges to highlight program benefits. Additionally, RI established partnerships with local nonprofit organizations to support their clients in accessing these educational opportunities. Notable efforts included providing resource guides and application assistance to streamline enrollment processes, hosting joint workshops to educate nonprofit clients on manufacturing career pathways, and equipping nonprofit case managers with tools to effectively refer clients to these programs.
What proportion of Goal 2 overall is complete at this point?
70%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that you impacted goal 2 in the last month?
The Acquisition and Conversion team has made significant progress in expanding RI’s pipeline. Jamie is actively collaborating with Southland Development Corporation and Manufacturing Renaissance to identify local manufacturing businesses that align with our cooperative model. Additionally, we have engaged a buy-side broker who has provided six promising leads for consideration.
What proportion of Goal 3 overall is complete at this point?
70%
What are the barriers and opportunities for completion that you impacted goal 3 in the last month?
RI is making steady progress in its cooperative conversion efforts by leveraging Project Equity’s (PE) proven model and deep expertise as the foundation for our work. PE’s established processes for evaluating business viability, structuring conversions, and preparing worker-owners are serving as a critical framework as we advance acquisitions in the Chicago region.
Did you access Technical Assistance for your CWB project last month?
No
Which TA provider(s) did you work with within the Phase I CWEB grantees?
Which TA providers did you work with OUTSIDE of the Phase I CWEB grantees?
Did someone from your organization attend the Working Group this month?
Yes
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
Very useful
How would you rate the usefulness of the Working Group for building community?
Very useful
What have been the two most valuable contributions of the Working Group this month?
Please share any comments about the working group meetings.
How many TOTAL housing units did you preserve or create last month? (it is okay if the answer is zero)
0
How many TOTAL CWB businesses did you develop last month? (it is okay if the answer is zero)
0
Number of stakeholder meetings held related to your Pre-Development Project?
3
Number of community meetings attended last month related to your Pre-Development Project?
3
Service / Capacity
| Service | Capacity |
|---|---|
|
Accounting & Financial Management |
3 some ability |
|
Advocacy |
3 some ability |
|
Conflict Resolution |
1 limited ability |
|
Cooperative Development and Operations |
4 |
|
Education & Training |
4 |
|
Fundraising or Raising Capital |
3 some ability |
|
Governance / Legal |
4 |
|
Marketing & Communications |
2 |
|
Other |
N/A |
|
Project Management |
3 some ability |
|
Real Estate Acquisition & Development |
N/A |
|
Relationship Building |
5 extensive ability |
|
Research |
5 extensive ability |
Other (please describe and include ranking)
What constraints or limitations with internal capacity is the organizarion experiencing related to its Pre-Development Project?
The recent addition of Diante Adams and Amari Rios has alleviated some capacity constraints and allowed for a more targeted division of responsibilities. With Amari enhancing administrative functions and Diante leading workforce engagement, the team is better equipped to balance community outreach, acquisition strategy, and cooperative development tasks.
What opportunities, if any, did the organization take advantage of related to its Pre-Development Project?
RI continues to strengthen its acquisition opportunities through strategic partnerships with Project Equity, Southland Development Corporation, and Manufacturing Renaissance.
Please use this space to elaborate, contextualize, or add any additional info about the details submitted in your report:
