The microboom in the CIC community passed another important milestone this week when Mardis Gras Arts Workshop CIC became the 500^th member to join the CIC Association, which incorporated 3 months ago as a representative body for CICs in the UK.

It’s mission, ‘to plant a flag in the ground around which the CIC community can build the infrastructure needed’, is now well underway and they’re confident that 2010 will see CICs break through the 5000 company barrier.

CIC protagonist John Mulkerrin said: ”We have had a phenomenal growth spurt in a relatively short time, and it shows no sign of easing off. CICs and partner groups up and down the country are starting to connect through the network, its early days but green shoots are popping up everywhere’.

500^th member Maria Katherina Joseph, of Mardi Gras Arts Workshop CIC, converted to a CIC after receiving advice on how to grow sustainably from her business mentor. ‘Im hoping to find out more about tendering for local authority contracts, Im new to this so joining together with others is a great way to learn and share’.

On average one hundred and twenty-five organisations a month are now incorporating as CICs, making it the fastest growing part of social enterprise.

For more information or to Join the CIC Association visit: http://www.cicassociation.org.uk/