The Sangudo Opportunity
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“What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Emerson
Sangudo
A town past it’s prime…
Tipping point – school closure
Creating A Community of Well-Being
Sangudo Opportunity Development Cooperative (SODC)
“To support and facilitate the development of businesses and projects which enhance
the social and/or economic well-being of the Sangudo community.”
Sangudo Opportunity Development Cooperative (SODC)
Initial project ideas:- Funeral Home- Art Gallery
- Hardware Store- Biomass Generator
- Existing Infrastructure?
Sangudo Custom Meat Packers
- Built in 1954- Owner operated by a 72-year old, one employee- Poor reputation- 2-acre site in town, 6,500sqft building- Provincially inspected and licensed- Integral to local livestock producers- 100km’s away from a 1 million consumer market
The UNIQUE DEAL to make it work
Key features:
- Sangudo Opportunity Development Cooperativebuys the Land and Building and holds title
- 22 cooperative members- equal shares- one member, one vote
- Jeff and Kevin buy the business and equipment- Fixed, easy monthly lease payments- Quarterly payment based on % of Gross Revenue- 3-year building buyout option at pre-determined price
LOVE
SANGUDO CUSTOM MEAT PACKERS
Actions Taken
- Repairs, Renovations, Upgrades
- Hiring and Training
- Comprehensive Marketing Strategy- Relationship management- Media cloud- Immersive food experiences - Food tourism
Results- Financial
- Jobs- ROI for investors- Local livestock purchasing & marketing
- Social- Tourism spinoff (50 person floatilla)- Community pride/identity- Replicability for other rural communities
- Environmental- Local, small, diverse, scattered, humane
Replicating the SODC ModelThe Right People
The Right Values
Shared Vision
A Leap of Faith
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”
Margaret Wheatley
CurrentSecond Project: Legion Building
Third Project: Refinancing for UpgradesFourth Project: Veterinary Clinic
Fifth Project: Early Buyout
FutureRRSP Eligible Community Slush Fund
Refrigerated Trucking CompanyBio-Waste Composting
Biomass Burner/District HeatingSchool Building Purchase/Leadership Centre
Community Owned Land TrustZero Footprint Housing
Agri-food Tourism
“Try? There is no try. There is only do, or not do.”
Yoda
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