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Pittsburgh Council proclaims 2025 as Year of the Cooperative, local co-ops speak at chamber
Summary
City Council on July 15 adopted a proclamation recognizing 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives and heard remarks from more than a half-dozen local cooperative leaders about housing, food, credit unions and worker co‑ops.
Councilwoman Deborah Gross opened a proclamation recognizing 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives and invited cooperative members to the lectern, telling attendees the city is “lucky” to host a range of co‑ops.
The proclamation, read by Gross, said cooperatives ‘‘foster democratic decision making and entrepreneurship’’ and cited the United Nations General Assembly’s proclamation recognizing 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. Gross noted Pittsburgh is home to more than 70 cooperatives, ranging from bicycle couriers and food stores to housing co‑ops and credit unions.
Why it matters: speakers representing worker, housing and credit‑union cooperatives said co‑ops help keep wealth in neighborhoods and provide stable jobs. Ron Gaydos, co‑founder of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Cooperatives and a Keystone Development Center staff member, urged the council to stay engaged and provided a contact (PittsburghChamber.coop). "We are dedicated to making the economy work for everybody," Gaydos said.
Several local co‑op leaders addressed council during the proclamation. Randall Taylor, with Steel City Cooperative Housing Association, said tenant‑owned housing cooperatives let residents pool resources and share repairs and costs: "If that roof goes out, they share the cost." Carol Hoardeman, a Hill District Credit Union member, described long‑term savings benefits; Kirsten Rocky, general manager of East End Food Co‑op Federal Credit Union, said the credit union helps members refinance predatory loans and save money. Amanda, a member of the Pinup Posters Courier Collective, described a small, five‑person co‑op that has operated for about 13 years.
No formal council action beyond the proclamation was taken during the remarks. Council members invited cooperative members to keep the council informed and to participate in follow‑up efforts.
The proclamation cites historical cooperative activity in Pittsburgh and local institutions involved in cooperative organizing, and encourages city support tools such as task forces and technical assistance. The proclamation text also references the city’s prior cooperative work, including a task force on employee ownership in 2019.
Looking ahead: cooperative speakers asked the city to translate recognition into programs that support tenant‑owned housing conversions, technical assistance for worker co‑ops and coordination with local credit unions. Council did not vote on funding or specific policy measures during the session.
