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ESOP Act Proposal Could Expand Employee Ownership Through Federal Contracts

ESOP| Employee Ownership
January 14, 2026•1 min read

The Empowering Small-Business Ownership Participation (ESOP) Act proposes expanding Department of Defense contracting incentives to include companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Currently available only to firms owned by certain demographic groups, the incentive would encourage broader adoption of employee ownership by making ESOP-owned businesses more competitive in federal contracting. The proposal highlights growing bipartisan interest in ESOPs as a business succession and workforce-retention strategy.

Read the full article here: https://www.nceo.org/employee-ownership-blog/two-new-proposals-in-congress-to-promote-employee-ownership

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Julie Leonhardt is the Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO), advancing employee ownership as a strategy for business sustainability, equitable wealth building, and community prosperity. With a background spanning law, real estate, technology, and nonprofit leadership, she brings a systems-level approach to economic development. Julie is a graduate of Westmont College and Fordham University School of Law and is based in Kansas City.

Julie Leonhardt

Julie Leonhardt is the Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO), advancing employee ownership as a strategy for business sustainability, equitable wealth building, and community prosperity. With a background spanning law, real estate, technology, and nonprofit leadership, she brings a systems-level approach to economic development. Julie is a graduate of Westmont College and Fordham University School of Law and is based in Kansas City.

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