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The Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy (BRED) is a coalition of Maryland-based worker cooperatives, advocates, and technical assistance providers committed to building a robust cooperative ecosystem. BRED supports democratically-controlled economic institutions with loans and technical assistance. We prioritize coop development that directs educational and financial resources to historically marginalized communities—especially communities of color that have been excluded from the current economic system. We are part of an emerging national peer network of loan funds to aggregate non-exploitative financing to scale this work. We believe in the creation of democratically-controlled economic institutions, whether as start-ups or through converting existing businesses. We see it as a powerful model that addresses concrete community needs—like living wage jobs with dignity—with an expansive vision of a transformed and equitable economy. Self-managed workplaces create key sites for skill-sharing and grassroots leadership development. Viable cooperative businesses with values grounded in community provide meaningful examples of corporate responsibility and accountability. Community-owned economic institutions demonstrate that Maryland communities can thrive without courting elite developers or national corporations that siphon profit from the local economy. Website: http://www.baltimoreroundtable.org Twitter: @bred_baltimore Instragram: @bred_baltimore

Loans

MontCo Union Taxi LLC dba Anytime Taxi

Bridge loan for government receivables

Operational taxi co-op is awaiting reimbursement from county government for an incentive program that allowed them to expand their fleet of vehicles. This loan serves as a bridge to keep the coop solvent while they await that reimbursement from the county government.

Rockville, United States
October 1, 2021
US $159,000.00

Sankofa Video, Books, and Cafe

THRIVE ERP Grant: Working Capital to Facilitate Economic Recovery

An economic recovery grant for a 30-year-old Afro-centric bookstore in Washington, DC

Washington, United States
June 6, 2024
US $18,750.00

Common Ground Bakery Cafe

Common Ground Acquisition & Conversion

An acquisition and conversion loan to buy Common Ground Bakery Cafe and reopen it as a cooperative

Baltimore, United States
September 8, 2023
US $340,000.00

Ceremony Piercing & Fine Jewelry

Refinance of Startup Loan to Ceremony Piercing & Fine Jewelry

A startup loan for a BIPOC-owned piercing studio to open as a cooperative in Baltimore

Baltimore, United States
September 6, 2024
US $49,000.00

Thread Coffee Roasters

Thread Consolidated Expansion Loan

Consolidation of existing loans to decrease administrative overhead, with a focus on one repayment type.

Baltimore, United States
January 1, 2020
US $98,564.63
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