The Envelope is a microcosmic eco-system that’s designed to support itself and the people that live in it. We aim for Beyond Net Zero - an Energy-Producing, self-sustaining community for live, work, and play.
I’m organizing a community-driven initiative to launch a member-owned, mixed-use facility that combines shared workspace, production tools, small business incubation, and communal event space.
We’re pursuing cooperative incorporation and evaluating several possible funding models, including sweat equity membership, service-based contributions, and community investment tied to meaningful benefits like space access, participation in governance, and future revenue-sharing. Our aim is to provide real value and shared ownership to contributors from the start. If your organization provides consulting, legal, or accounting support for cooperative formation—or if you can refer me to someone who does—I’d love to set up a short conversation. We’re also preparing to apply for feasibility support and may be eligible for Wisconsin’s WEDC Cooperative Feasibility Study Grant, which requires an upfront quote from a professional on letterhead. Meetings are scheduled for the week of 2026-02-01.
Clintonville has only 4.4% market utilization downtown. If we capture even 0.1% of that, it’s $110,079
