To help rural residents, the Cooperative Development program of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) has a mission of specializing in technical assistance to agricultural, aquaculture, artisan, and rural producer groups interested in organizing or developing cooperatives, so they can 1) make wise choices, 2) determine cooperative feasibility, 3) meet an economic need, 4) successfully operate on sound business principles, and 5) increase member income.

Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is given in response to specific problems. Requests usually come directly from a few people wanting to organize a cooperative, or from elected directors of existing cooperatives desiring to improve operations. Help is given on business organization, operating efficiency, and member control. Work can involve determining the economic feasibility of new facilities or adding new products or services. Advice may be given on the merits of merging organizations or forming new ones. Studies cover the full range of decision making found in a cooperative business enterprise.

RBS provides specialized assistance to rural residents desiring to form new cooperatives. On request from groups, we conduct feasibility studies for potential cooperative operations and give advice on implementing business plans. The Hawaii State RBS office helps people identify needed cooperative services and provides continuing assistance to new cooperatives.

RBS's technical assistance program can help a group throughout the cooperative development process by: providing guidance to the steering committee, providing information on organizing, determining feasibility of proposed operations (helping prepare a business plan), passing on the experiences of other cooperatives so as to help avoid the problems other cooperatives have had, and helping identify needed cooperative services. RBS also works with the cooperative after it gets organized in: business planning, member relations, training board members and manager, financial management and a host of other areas.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

USDA, Rural Development        Timothy W. O'Connell  
Hawaii State Office            Cooperative Development Specialist             
ATTN: Rural Business Service   Telephone: (808) 933-8313
Room 311, Federal Building     FAX:       (808) 933-8326
154 Waianuenue Avenue          E-Mail: tim.oconnell@hi.usda.gov
Hilo, HI  96720                     

Please send any comments or suggestions to:
HIRDwebmaster@rurdev.usda.gov