Taproot Investment Cooperative
As cities grow, the need for housing, transit, and small businesses to serve new residents grows. While new investment in neighborhoods can bring fresh businesses and much-needed housing, demands from traditional investors can result in high rents, destabilization of small businesses, and ultimately, displacement.
Established in 2023 in Saint Paul, MN, Taproot Investment Cooperative is a different kind of investor—one that puts community first. They take a values-first approach to broad-based ownership to prevent displacement, disrupt wealth-extraction practices, and grow local control of real estate. Neighborhood residents volunteered their time and worked closely with the Creative Enterprise Zone and Nexus Community Partners to receive the technical assistance they needed to incorporate and launch Taproot Investment Cooperative.
Background
In 2024, Baker Court, an anchor building in St. Anthony Park, was under threat of demolition. A 133-unit high rise was proposed to take its place. Built in 1880, this elementary school turned office building was home to 35 small businesses. So many of those businesses are mental health practices that Ann Juergens, one of the seven Taproot founding board members, has described Baker Court as “a good incubator to mental health.” Taproot, in partnership with Red Stone Corner LLC, purchased the property, preserved its history, and kept the 35 small businesses in the building.
Taproot continues to be open to new members and is evaluating next steps. Their annual members’ meeting typically happens in May.
“Every bit as important as Nexus’ guidance on the rules for co-op infrastructure were the gentle but clear reminders to hew to our social values and articulate them in our governing documents.”
Ann Juergens, Taproot Investment Co-op, Board Member
You don’t have to choose between people and profits.
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