Cooperative

A cooperative, or co-op, is a member-owned organization that can span various industries, including agriculture, finance, housing, retail, utilities, and more. Members use the co-op’s products or services, such as electricity from electric co-ops or communication services from telephone co-ops, which mutually benefit all members. A co-op runs democratically and treats every member equally. An elected board of directors oversees the staff and makes the day-to-day decisions for the cooperative. The cooperative usually reinvests profits or distributes them to members.

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