Cooperatives in Alaska

A cooperative is a business that is owned, operated and controlled for the benefit of its members.  In Alaska, electrical utilities and credit unions are the most common types of cooperatives, but co-ops play a role in other sectors including seafood, agriculture, arts, and retail trade.  The Alaska Cooperative Development Program  provides information and support to existing cooperatives and to groups interested in learning more about how this business model works.  Some resources about cooperatives are available below, more are available at the ACDP website. 

Shellfish Co-op Resources

Cooperatives in the Shellfish Industry (PowerPoint Presentation)

Developing Best Management Practices for Running a Shellfish Management Cooperative

Resources for Establishing a Co-op

Board of Directors--Legal Requirements

Cooperative Bylaws (sample)

Excerpts from AK Co-op Corporations Act

Excerpts from Federal Statutes on Co-ops

Membership Qualifications (sample)

Outline for Coop Bylaws

Purpose for Forming a Cooperative (sample)