Bloomingdale Community C0-op - Workshop Meeting #4
Join Us Tomorrow: Co-op Workshop & Draft Documents to Review
The next Bloomingdale Community Co-op Workshop is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13th at 5:00 PM at the Bloomingdale Communications Community Room. Whether you've been with us from the start or you're just hearing about the Co-op for the first time, we'd love to see you there.
This is one of the most substantive workshops we've held to date — all three of our active committees will be presenting updates, and the Governance Committee will be sharing the first full drafts of our proposed membership structure and bylaws for community feedback.
What to Expect
Networking Committee will share where we're at with outreach to local farmers, makers, and producers — who's signed on, who's interested, and who we still need to reach.
Feasibility Committee will continue their presentation on the Bloomingdale Box project, including proposed pricing, sign-ups so far, location options, and questions they need the group's input on.
Governance Committee will present the first draft of our proposed bylaws and membership structure. This is the foundation of how the Co-op will be owned, governed, and operated — and we want your feedback before anything moves toward a vote.
We'll close with open discussion and time to coordinate across committees, then set action items for the weeks ahead.
Pre-Read the Drafts
If you can, take a few minutes before the meeting to look over the two governance drafts. Coming in having read them will make the feedback discussion much richer:
Draft Bloomingdale Community Co-op Membership Structure — share price, member rights, payment options, and how ownership works
Draft Bloomingdale Community Co-op Bylaws — governance framework, Board structure, and the Co-op's relationship to BDA
These are drafts in active development. Nothing is locked in. The whole point of tomorrow is to hear from the community about what works, what doesn't, and what we've missed.
Full Agenda
5:00 – 5:05 PM Welcome & Introductions
5:05 – 5:20 PM Networking Committee Report
5:20 – 5:40 PM Feasibility Committee — Bloomingdale Box Project
5:40 – 6:00 PM Governance Committee — Proposed Bylaws & Membership
6:00 – 6:10 PM Open Discussion & Cross-Committee Coordination
6:10 – 6:15 PM Action Items & Next Steps
Why This Matters
The Bloomingdale Community Co-op is being built by the community, for the community. Every decision we make in these workshops — from share price to board structure to who we partner with — shapes what this Co-op becomes. The more voices in the room, the stronger the foundation.
If you've ever wanted a say in what your local food system looks like, this is the table.
See you tomorrow at 5:00.
Bloomingdale Communications Community RoomWednesday, May 13, 2026
Bloomingdale Community Co-Op: Workshop Meeting #3
The Bloomingdale Community Co-Op is growing — and we want you to be part of it.
Community Workshops Are Happening
We've been meeting every two weeks to develop the Bloomingdale Community Co-Op — a member-owned grocery and food hub right here in our village. The turnout has been real, the energy is real, and the work is happening.
The Bloomingdale Community Co-Op is being formed as part of a larger effort to bring fresh food, cultural programming, and community ownership back to our village center.
Fred W. & Robert Banks, Dairy Farm, Bloomingdale, MI 1909.
Three Committees, One Mission
We've organized into committees to get the real work done:
Feasibility — studying the market, costs, and what it takes to open a grocery store that works for our community
Networking — building a growing list of local farmers, artisans, and makers who want to be part of this. Working on the "Bloomingdale Box" offering.
Governance — writing the articles of incorporation and bylaws together, as a community, for a member-owned co-op
Next Meeting
Wednesday, April 29 at 5:00 PM — Bloomingdale Communications Telephone Company, downstairs community room: 101 W Kalamazoo St, Bloomingdale, MI 49026
We’ll have committee reports, a preview of what's coming, and a chance to have your voice heard.
Here is a link to the agenda for the April 29 workshop meeting: April 29 Meeting Agenda
Here is a link to the April 15 workshop meeting minutes: April 15 Meeting Minutes
Can't make it? Email info@bda-mi.org or sign up at bda-mi.org to stay in the loop.
Get Involved
This is a community-owned project from the ground up. If you want to join the conversation and help us grow this co-op — come to the meetings. Spread the word. Get excited. This is our food system, and we're building it together.
Kurtis Dickerson
Bloomingdale Development Association
Bloomingdale Community Co-op — Community Update #5
Good morning Bloomingdale!
A few quick updates from the Bloomingdale Development Association and the Bloomingdale Community Co-op:
Tomorrow Night — Shady Brook Park, 5 PM We're continuing our co-op development work Wednesday evening at Shady Brook Park at 5 PM. Come join us as we keep building this out together. We will be meeting bi-weekly going forward so stay tuned for future dates.
Get Involved — Join a Committee We have three working committees forming right now and we need community members to step up:
🔍 Feasibility Committee — assessing the financial and market viability of the co-op
🌱 Networking Committee — building relationships with local farmers, producers, and food system partners
🏛️ Governance Committee — developing the legal and organizational framework for the cooperative
If you feel called to contribute to any of these committees please reach out to us at info@bda-mi.org and let us know.
Great Lakes Alliance of Cooperatives This past weekend I had the chance to attend the Great Lakes Alliance of Cooperatives retreat at Circle Pines in Delton. Made some wonderful connections and came away with a much deeper understanding of the cooperative development process. I will be sharing some quick highlights tomorrow night at the meeting. There is real excitement building in the broader cooperative community around what we are doing here in Bloomingdale. We are not alone in this
See you Wednesday at 5 at Shady Brook Park!
Kurtis Dickerson | Executive Director, Bloomingdale Development Association | bda-mi.org
Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub — Community Meeting Agenda (April 4, 2026)
Date: April 4, 2026 | Time: 12 PM | Location: Bloomingdale, MI
Welcome & Context (5 min)
Welcome from Kurtis Dickerson, BDA Executive Director
Brief recap: Wagoner's Grocery closed December 27, 2025 — Bloomingdale is now a food desert
Why we're here: to present our plan for the Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub — a community-owned food access initiative for Bloomingdale
What is a Food Co-op? (10 min)
A cooperative grocery is owned and governed by its members — the people it serves
Profits stay in the community rather than leaving to outside shareholders
Members have a vote in how the store is run
Bloomingdale's advantage: We're not starting from scratch — BDA is already incorporated, bylaws adopted, board seated, and grant work underway for the Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub
📋 Resource: FCI Food Co-op Development Framework Checklist
Where We Are: FCI Framework Stage Assessment (10 min)
BDA has already completed significant Stage 1 milestones:
✅ Core group formed (BDA board)
✅ Vision established (Bloomingdale Food Enterprise Hub)
✅ Incorporated as Michigan nonprofit
✅ Bylaws adopted (November 26, 2025)
✅ Board of Directors seated
✅ Bank account opened
✅ Community engagement underway (Facebook, meetings)
✅ Preliminary business concept articulated
✅ Grant application in progress (USDA RBDG)
What we're working toward in Stage 2:
Professional market study
Full pro forma financial model
Formal business plan approval
Member-owner recruitment campaign launch
Site confirmation (110 N. Van Buren St.)
Funding Strategy (15 min)
Current Funding Picture
USDA RBDG Grant $465,000 In Progress — rated STRONG
MDARD Food Systems Grant TBD Exploring
CDFI Financing $100,000–$300,000 Planning
Member-Owner Equity $50,000–$150,000 Campaign pending
Land Contract / Bridge TBD Negotiating
Community Donations TBD Early stage
Building Acquisition
Target: 110 N. Van Buren St. (former Wagoner's) — asking $150,000
BAIC holding building — land contract or bridge financing being explored
Grant funds + CDFI + member equity = path to acquisition
Total Phase 1 Estimate
Approximately $1.94M across all funding sources for full build-out
Starting point: acquire building, minimal renovations, open with lean operations
📋 Resource: FCI Sources & Uses Budget Template
📋 Resource: FCI Guide to Starting a Food Co-op
How to Get Involved (10 min)
Become a Member-Owner
Founding member share amount: TBD (to be set by committee)
Member-owners get voting rights, potential dividends, community ownership stake
Goal: 100+ founding members before opening day
Volunteer
Committee opportunities: Finance, Member Outreach, Site Development
Event support, social media, community outreach
Spread the Word
Share BDA updates on Facebook and in the community
Invite neighbors, local businesses, farmers to get involved
Open Discussion & Q&A (15 min)
Key questions to address:
What do you want to see in a community grocery?
What concerns do you have about the cooperative model?
How can you personally contribute?
What partnerships or resources can you bring to the table?
Action Items & Committee Formation (10 min)
We are forming three working committees today. Here are our five immediate action items:
Action Item 1 — Form the Feasibility Committee
This committee will conduct the market study, develop the pro forma financial model, and assess site viability at 110 N. Van Buren St. First meeting to be scheduled within two weeks.
Action Item 2 — Form the Networking Committee
This committee will identify and connect with local farmers, food producers, suppliers, and regional partners. Goal: build the supply network before opening day. Also responsible for CSA program development — our fastest path to community food access.
Action Item 3 — Form the Governance Committee
This committee will begin the formal cooperative organizational development work — drafting the member-owner program, setting share pricing, developing bylaws for the co-op entity (separate from BDA), and preparing for the first member election.
Action Item 4 — Schedule Committee Kickoff Workshops
Each committee will hold a kickoff workshop within 30 days. BDA will provide facilitation support and FCI framework resources to guide the work.
Action Item 5 — Sign Up Today
Sign up at this meeting to join a committee, become a founding member-owner (amount TBD), or stay connected via email updates. Every name on the list matters.
Next Steps & Timeline (5 min)
USDA RBDG application submitting April 2026
MDARD grant application April 15, 2026
Member-owner campaign launch Spring 2026
Market study begins Immediately — Spring 2026
CSA launch (moonshot) Summer 2026 — ASAP
Building acquisition decision Spring 2026
Store opening (moonshot goal) Summer 2026 (August–September target)
Resources Shared Today
Community Update #3: April Meeting, FCI Live & Next Steps
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Welcome to everyone who has recently joined the conversation — there
are incredible ideas emerging and we are working on ways to start
connecting all of it together. This community's response has been
truly inspiring.
Next Community Meeting — Saturday, April 4th, Noon–3 PM
Bloomingdale Municipal Center
Mark your calendars and plan to bring your knowledge, your questions,
and your ideas. We look forward to seeing you there.
Introducing Nick Dalton — Prospective Cooperative Director
We are excited to introduce Nick Dalton, who is joining our team as
Prospective Director of the Bloomingdale Food Access Cooperative — and
he will be at the April 4th meeting to connect with the community in
person.
Nick brings over 20 years of experience leading nonprofit institutions
and building community-driven programs across the globe. His background spans strategic planning, grant management, cross-sector partnerships, and developing sustainable hubs in both urban and rural
communities. He holds an MFA from Goddard College with a concentration in the creation of cultural centers in rural communities — which makes him a natural fit for what we are building here in Bloomingdale. He also grew up in Lawton and South Haven, before graduating from WMU. So, he is locally grown.
Nick has worked with organizations ranging from Hope College to the National Gandhi Ashram to helping found the Rotary Club of Fennville/Pullman/Lakeshore during COVID. And, he has a proven track record of growing
community access, building collaborative networks, and developing institutions that last. We are thrilled to have him helping shape the future of this cooperative.”
Food Co-op Initiative — FCI Live (Free & Online)
We have been working with the Food Co-op Initiative in developing our cooperative model, and they are hosting a free online event starting March 23rd — FCI Live.
This is a fantastic introduction to what a food
co-op is, how it works, and why it matters for communities like ours.
I will personally be attending as many sessions as possible. Everyone
is welcome:
https://fci.coop/
A Note on the Wagoner's Building
We want to make sure everyone has accurate information: BDA has made a
formal proposal to the Bloomingdale Area Improvement Club for the
Wagoner's building. That proposal is still pending — BAIC will be
holding their April meeting to consider our proposal along with a few
other offers they have received for the space. We look forward to that
conversation and will keep you informed as things develop.
The Momentum Is Real — Here's How to Keep It Going
The response in community signups has been overwhelming and we are
genuinely excited. Here are your next steps:
1. Start Learning About Food Co-ops
A few great places to begin:
• Food Co-op Initiative: https://fci.coop/
• Grow Benzie: https://www.growbenzie.org/
• Kalamazoo Valley Food Hub: https://valleyhub.kvcc.edu/
• People's Food Co-op, Kalamazoo: https://www.pfckalamazoo.coop/
2. Start Sharing
Spread the word. Let's build the community and utilize everyone's
talents to make this a reality. The more people who know, the stronger
we are. bda-mi.org/food-access-project
3. Come to the April 4th Meeting
Saturday, April 4th, Noon–3 PM at the Bloomingdale Municipal Center.
Nick Dalton will be there, along with the full BDA team. Bring your
knowledge, your questions, and your voice. This is where the real work
happens — together.
Thank you for believing in Bloomingdale. More updates coming soon.
In community,
Kurtis Dickerson
Executive Director, Bloomingdale Development Association
info@bda-mi.org | (269) 655-4335
Community Update #2: Building Momentum on the Food Access Project
Building Something Real in Bloomingdale
It's been a quiet few weeks in Bloomingdale — the kind of quiet that looks like nothing is happening from the outside. But from where we're standing, it doesn't feel quiet at all.
Since our first community meeting in January, the Bloomingdale Development Association has been doing what matters most right now: building the foundation. Not the exciting part. Not the ribbon-cutting part. The foundation.
The boring stuff that makes everything else possible.
If you're just joining us: Wagoner's — Bloomingdale's only grocery store — closed on December 21st, 2025. That left our village of 460+ people without a place to buy food. No other grocery store is coming to fill the gap. So the community is building its own: a cooperative grocery store, owned by its members, governed by the people who shop there. The Bloomingdale Development Association is leading the effort — pursuing federal grants, negotiating for a building, forming the cooperative corporation, and organizing the community support that makes it all possible. That's the project. Here's where it stands.
You can meet the people leading this effort on our updated Board page at bda-mi.org/about.
Our board has formally adopted financial compliance policies, conflict of interest procedures, and governance structures that meet federal grant requirements. This is the paperwork that tells USDA Rural Development: "This organization is serious. This project is real. Fund it with confidence." It's not glamorous. But it's the difference between a grant application that gets funded and one that gets filed.
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The Money
We're pursuing a $465,000 USDA Rural Business Development Grant — the primary funding source for acquiring and renovating the building that will become our community's food access hub. Our application has been rated "strong" by the consultant who reviewed it. We're preparing for an informational review with USDA Rural Development before the formal submission window opens.
At the same time, we're filing an equipment grant with the Michigan Department of Agriculture for the shelving, kitchen equipment, and processing space. And we've started conversations with the Michigan Good Food Fund — a community development lender specifically designed for food enterprises like ours.
These aren't long shots. These are the right conversations with the right people at the right time.
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The Building
We've submitted an offer to the Bloomingdale Area Improvement Club — the nonprofit that owns the former Wagoner's building. Our proposal: a land contract. We take over the building, cover the taxes and insurance, make monthly payments, and secure the property for the community.
We're not the only ones interested. But we believe we're the right ones.
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The Cooperative
Here's what we're most excited about: the grocery store won't be owned by a single person or even by BDA. It will be owned by you. A standalone cooperative corporation — community-owned, member-governed, built to last. With guidance from MSU's Cooperative Development Program and the Food Co-Op Initiative, we're forming the cooperative structure that will own and operate the store.
That means founding members will have a voice in how the store runs, what it carries, and how it grows. It means the profits stay local. This isn't just a store — it's a community asset.
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The Community
We've received letters of support from the Village Council, the Township Council, and the Van Buren County District Library. Three levels of institutional backing. Each letter says the same thing: Bloomingdale needs this, and the community supports it.
Now we need your voice too.
Sign the Community Pledge of Support. It takes 30 seconds. Every signature strengthens our applications and tells funders: this community wants this project.
If you know a farmer or food producer who might want to sell through the co-op, send them a link to our food access page (bda-mi.org/food-access-project). Word of mouth is how this grows.
We're building toward a summer 2026 opening. The foundation is laid. Now we build.
3 Ways to Help Right Now
1. Share the Community Pledge
Link: https://forms.gle/MHTmW3RxNXKMGsE98
Text it to everyone you know. Post on social media. Community groups. The more signatures, the stronger we look.
Sample text: "I'm supporting the Bloomingdale Food Access Project — bringing a community-owned grocery store to Bloomingdale after our store closed. Can you sign the pledge? 30 seconds: https://forms.gle/MHTmW3RxNXKMGsE98"
2. Become an Ambassador for the Food Access C0-Op
Become a Community Ambassador — if you want to do more than sign, become an ambassador. Share the pledge with your neighbors, talk about the project at community events, help us build the support that makes this real.
Sign up to be a Community Ambassador → (https://forms.gle/QtT5hcktW19E5o6V8)
3. If you know a farmer or food producer who might want to sell through the co-op, connect them with us. Word of mouth is how this grows.
We're building toward a summer 2026 opening. The foundation is laid. Now we build.
Thank you for being part of this from the beginning.
— Kurtis Dickerson, Executive Director, Bloomingdale Development Association
bda-mi.org | info@bda-mi.org
Need to submit a letter of support for your business? Email info@bda-mi.org and we'll send you the template.