
Metropolitan Economic Development Association
Metropolitan Economic Development Association is an active SBA lender in Minnesota, a development company offering SBA-guaranteed small-business loans. Currently rated 3.2 stars across 18 Google reviews.
$6M
in SBA approvals since 2018
28
SBA loans funded
Food Manufacturing & Processing · Restaurants & Food Service · Medical Practices & Clinics
Top industries financed
Source: U.S. SBA 7(a) & 504 FOIA loan-approval records (FY2010–present).
About Metropolitan Economic Development Association
Metropolitan Economic Development Association offers specialized financial services and SBA loan programs designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Minneapolis area. With a focus on fostering economic growth, this institution provides access to capital through various SBA offerings, including the popular 7(a) loan program. Their team is dedicated to guiding clients through the loan process, ensuring they understand eligibility requirements and helping them secure funding for business expansion, equipment purchase, or working capital needs. The association emphasizes community development and economic empowerment, making it a valuable resource for local business owners seeking reliable financial support.
Common questions about Metropolitan Economic Development Association
What is this place and what can I find here?
This is a financial institution that provides SBA loan programs and business development services to small businesses in Minneapolis. You can find assistance with funding, community development, and business growth strategies.
Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?
It is recommended to schedule an appointment to ensure dedicated time with a loan officer, but walk-in consultations may be available during business hours.
What are the hours of operation?
Metropolitan Economic Development Association is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please call (612) 332-6332 to confirm hours or schedule an appointment.
Is there a fee to use this?
There are no fees to access consultation services, but loan processing and guarantee fees may apply during the loan application process.
Who is this open to — anyone, or only residents/members?
This institution primarily serves small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Minneapolis region, but eligibility is based on business criteria and loan program requirements.
Can a non-bank entity provide financing if my personal credit score is below 640?
Yes — non-bank lenders like Metropolitan Economic Development Association often work with borrowers whose personal credit falls below the 640 mark that many banks treat as a floor. They tend to weigh business cash flow, time in operation, and overall fit alongside your credit score. Approval and terms still depend on your full profile, so ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association what minimum it looks for.
Is the loan application and validation pipeline fully digital with this provider?
Many non-bank lenders run a largely online process — application, document upload, and verification handled digitally, often with faster decisions than a traditional branch. Whether Metropolitan Economic Development Association's pipeline is fully digital from start to finish depends on the provider. Check Metropolitan Economic Development Association's website or ask their team how much of the process you can complete online.
Is this open on weekends?
Metropolitan Economic Development Association is a non-bank lender, so there is usually no branch to visit and its team generally works standard weekday hours. Many non-bank lenders do let you start or continue an application online at any time, including weekends. Check Metropolitan Economic Development Association's website or call to confirm when staff are actually available.
How do I get there and where do I park?
Metropolitan Economic Development Association operates largely online and by phone as a non-bank lender, so most clients never need to travel to an office. If an in-person meeting is offered, Metropolitan Economic Development Association will share the address and parking details when you schedule. Start by reaching out using the contact information on this page.
Who owns or operates this listing?
This page is an independent directory listing for Metropolitan Economic Development Association, an SBA-participating non-bank lender (a development company or community fund). It is maintained by SBA Lenders USA to help borrowers compare lenders — not by Metropolitan Economic Development Association itself, which runs its own lending under its own ownership. If you work at Metropolitan Economic Development Association, you can claim this listing from this page to manage it.
How current is the information on this page?
The core details for Metropolitan Economic Development Association — name, location, contact, and lender type — are compiled from public records and reviewed periodically. Rates, programs, credit policies, and hours change often and are not guaranteed here, so always confirm the latest terms directly with Metropolitan Economic Development Association before applying. If you represent Metropolitan Economic Development Association, claim this listing to keep its information up to date.
How do I contact this listing directly?
You can reach Metropolitan Economic Development Association by phone at (612) 332-6332 or email contact@meda.net. Their office is at 1256 North Penn Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Please confirm details with the lender.
How do non-bank lender approval requirements differ from standard commercial institutions?
Non-bank lenders like Metropolitan Economic Development Association usually place more weight on business revenue, cash flow, and time in business, and less on a high personal credit score or hard collateral than a traditional bank. That can mean faster approvals and more flexibility, sometimes at a higher cost. Ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association what it requires and how its criteria compare for your situation.
Am I required to move my primary business checking account to this non-bank lender?
Generally no — non-bank lenders typically do not hold deposit accounts, so Metropolitan Economic Development Association usually cannot and will not require you to move your business checking to them, and you keep your existing bank for day-to-day banking. A deposit-relationship requirement is far more common at traditional banks, but confirm the specifics with Metropolitan Economic Development Association.
Do non-bank options favor asset-light tech fields or online retail brands?
Many non-bank and online lenders are comfortable with asset-light businesses — software, services, e-commerce, and online retail — because they underwrite on cash flow and revenue rather than physical collateral. That said, Metropolitan Economic Development Association sets its own focus and may serve a broad mix of industries. Ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association whether your field and business model fit what it typically funds.
What interest rate structures should I expect from a non-bank financing provider?
Non-bank financing can come as fixed or variable term loans, lines of credit, or revenue-based structures, and rates are often higher than a traditional SBA bank loan to reflect faster funding and looser criteria. The cost may be quoted as an APR or a factor rate. Ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association for the full APR and total repayment amount so you can compare offers fairly.
Can I refinance high-cost merchant cash advances into a term loan with this lender?
Refinancing or consolidating expensive merchant cash advances into a lower-cost term loan is a common goal, and some non-bank lenders and SBA programs allow it when the numbers support it. Eligibility depends on your cash flow and the existing debt. Ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association whether it refinances merchant cash advances and what it would take to qualify.
Do they allow seller notes to count toward the required borrower equity injection?
In many SBA-backed deals a seller note can count toward part of the borrower's required equity injection, often when it is placed on full standby for a set period. Whether Metropolitan Economic Development Association permits this, and on what terms, depends on the lender and the SBA rules in play. Confirm with Metropolitan Economic Development Association how it treats seller notes in your specific deal.
Do they offer international trade or export loan programs?
Some lenders take part in SBA export and trade programs such as the Export Working Capital Program or the International Trade Loan, which support businesses that sell abroad. Availability varies and not every non-bank lender offers them. If you export or plan to, ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association whether it offers export or international trade financing.
What happens if the primary business asset valuation comes back lower than the contracted purchase price?
If an appraisal or valuation comes in below the agreed purchase price, the gap usually has to be covered — by renegotiating the price, the buyer adding more cash, or the seller carrying a larger note — because lenders generally lend against the lower of cost or appraised value. Ask Metropolitan Economic Development Association how it handles a valuation shortfall before you commit.



