The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L. 117-328) includes the Worker Opportunity, Readiness and Knowledge (WORK) Act, sponsored by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), which creates the Employee Ownership Initiative at the DOL to promote employee ownership and directs the DOL to provide formal guidance on the vital issue of properly valuing shares of company stock to be bought by an ESOP– a key rule long missing from the ESOP regulatory landscape. The law included new provisions allowing S corporation ESOPs limited use of section 1042 tax deferral.
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Dec. 20
Congressional negotiators early this morning released the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 which includes numerous top priority provisions sought by The ESOP Association on behalf of its membership.
Dec. 14
The ESOP Association released the following statement on the unexpected passing of Will Raap, a visionary leader in employee ownership, organic gardening, and locally sourced and sustainable food.
Sep. 30
US House Committee on Small Business Holds Hearing on Empowering Employee-Owned Businesses Through Access to Capital.
Immediate Past Chair, Gary Shorman testifies emphasizing SBA loan access, the need for ESOP public education and the impact of the DOLs lack of guidance.
Immediate Past Chair, Gary Shorman testifies emphasizing SBA loan access, the need for ESOP public education and the impact of the DOLs lack of guidance.
Sep. 30
Month-Long Initiative Raising Resources for Foundation’s Critical Work Educating Private Business Owners with Succession Plans, Public Leaders, and other Stakeholders About Value of ESOPs
Jun. 21
Today, Project Equity and The ESOP Association (TEA) announced a new partnership designed to amplify employee ownership as a way to preserve businesses, strengthen jobs and build a more resilient post-pandemic economy. This partnership will use new, nationwide state-by-state data to demonstrate for lawmakers the impact of ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) and worker cooperatives, particularly in relation to the massive generational shift in business ownership facing the nation, known as the “Silver Tsunami.” Project Equity used its data analysis to create 50 state-specific infographics which will be released as part of The ESOP Association’s 47th National Conference in Washington, DC this week. TEA has scheduled more than 220 individual meetings with Members of Congress and their staff to share the data as well as other legislative and regulatory priorities for the employee ownership community.
May. 24
The Main Street Employee Ownership Act is signed into the law, as part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. The law makes it easier for small companies to use the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) program to finance a transition to an employee-owned business, such as an ESOP.
Resource, Press Releases
May. 23
Congratulations to all our AACE winners and runners up - we had an incredible year for the AACE program with some of the best entries we have ever received. Thank you to our judges who took two days to fly to DC to judge the countless entries. We look forward to next year!
More than 250 Employees
Air Tractor (Olney, TX)
• Winner: Video
Burns & McDonnell (Kansas City, MO)
• Runner Up: Total Communications
• Runner Up: Series of Special Events
Resource, Press Releases
May. 23
Washington, DC, May 23, 2019 - Janet Edmunson, founder of JME Insights in South Portland, ME, has been named the 2019 Life Service Award winner by The ESOP Association. The Life Service Award honors individuals who’ve made a significant, long-term contribution to employee ownership and the ESOP community.
Resource, Press Releases
May. 23
Washington, DC, May 23, 2019 - Jeff Mounts, Marketing Coordinator at ESP International based in Cedar Rapids, has been named the 2019 Employee Owner of the Year by The ESOP Association. This award recognizes a non-management employee owner who provides a positive influence in the company, and who participates in the company’s employee ownership activities and in the activities of The ESOP Association.