BRAINERD — Nine local cooperatives have come together this year to celebrate their members.

2025 is the International Year of the Cooperative, and October is recognized as Cooperative Month across the country.

Participating cooperatives include Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Brainerd BN Credit Union, Crow Wing Food Co-Op, Crow Wing Power, Crow Wing Power Credit Union, CTC, Members Cooperative Credit Union, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, and Tremolo Communications. Although their services vary, cooperatives are united by one foundation: the people they serve are members with a voice, not customers in a transaction.

The group meets regularly to plan joint outreach and education efforts. Their focus is on the cooperative principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives,” which highli

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