April 2026 Newsletter

UPCOMING EVENTS

SMART PROFIT SHARE – THE SIMPLEST FORM OF EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

What would change if your team felt like owners? Join MICEO’s conversation with Hive Ownership about building an ownership culture through smart profit share – a simple approach to employee ownership that any small business can start today. This FREE webinar will talk about what smart profit share is, how it works in practice, and whether it could be a fit for your business. You'll also walk away with a simple framework you can use to think about ownership culture in your business, whatever you decide to do next.

Date: Wednesday, May 13th 2026 

Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM EDT

Cost: FREE

Whether you have been thinking about employee ownership for years or you are just curious, this webinar is for you. Can’t make it? Feel free to register, and we will send you the recording.

Register Now

MICEO UPDATES

LEO-FUNDED PILOT FUNDS EO TRANSITIONS

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), in partnership with MICEO, is offering a Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program that provides funding for feasibility studies, pre-feasibility assessments, valuation services, legal services, and other critical support to help enable business owners assess their potential for employee ownership conversions. 

With thousands of Michigan business owners nearing retirement – many without an exit plan – the Transition to Employee Ownership Pilot Program offers a timely solution. By transitioning to employee ownership, businesses create their own buyers — preserving jobs, community roots, and operational continuity.

Click HERE to learn more – or fill out an intake form. Even if you don't qualify for funding, MICEO will point you in the right direction for your business and help you find partners who can guide you through this process.

FOCUS ON MICHIGAN

AIRCRAFT PRECISION PRODUCTS INC.

Aircraft Precision Products Inc. is an employee-owned company established in 1964 and headquartered in Ithaca, Michigan, that specializes in precision machining and thermal coating, primarily for the aerospace and defense industries. From jet engine components to mission-critical parts, innovation and rigorous testing help keep the aerospace industry flying safely. Aircraft Precision Products, Inc. maintains its industry-leading reputation by combining expert personnel and craftsmen with the latest CAD/CAM software, fully automated coordinate-measuring machinery, four- and five-axis CNC machining centers, and extensive CNC lathe capabilities.

Learn more about Aircraft Precision Products Inc

EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP RESOURCES

LEARN MORE ABOUT EO

Case study: Private equity impacts in Michigan – Private Equity Stakeholder Project reports that private equity firms now control nearly 9% of Michigan's private sector workforce — and the impacts are being felt across healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality.

Cooperatives are the Path to the Economy we Desire – The Cooperative Development Foundation makes a compelling case that cooperatives aren't just a niche business model — they're a proven path toward the economy most people say they want.

Top 10 ESOP Market Predictions for 2026 – The Menke Group reports that conditions for employee ownership heading into 2026 look favorable with more financing options, growing awareness, and a federal policy environment that's taking employee ownership seriously for the first time.

Did you miss MICEO’s April 15th webinar?

Listen to “What Every Business Owner Should Know About Exit Planning” where MICEO Executive Director Roy Messing covers the essentials: what exit planning entails, when to start, and how to ensure you're not leaving money — or your life's work — on the table.