
Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation
Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation is an active SBA lender in Florida, a development company offering SBA-guaranteed small-business loans. Currently rated 3.0 stars across 2 Google reviews.
$479M
in SBA approvals since 2010
716
SBA loans funded
Hotels & Lodging · Medical Practices & Clinics · Restaurants & Food Service
Top industries financed
Source: U.S. SBA 7(a) & 504 FOIA loan-approval records (FY2010–present).
About Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation
Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation offers comprehensive SBA lending programs designed to support small businesses in the Clearwater area. With a focus on fostering economic growth, this institution provides tailored financing options including SBA 7(a) loans to help entrepreneurs secure funding for various needs such as working capital, equipment, and expansion projects. Their experienced team guides clients through the application process, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish. The bank's commitment to community development is evident in their personalized service and flexible lending criteria, making them a reliable partner for small business owners seeking financial assistance.
Industries Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation finances
Business types Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation actively lends to, from its SBA loan history. Tap one to see every lender serving it.
Common questions about Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation
What is this place and what can I find here?
This is a financial institution that provides SBA loan programs and small business financing solutions to support local economic growth and development.
Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?
It is recommended to schedule an appointment to ensure dedicated assistance, but walk-ins may be accommodated depending on staff availability.
What are the hours of operation?
The bank operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Is there a fee to use this?
There are no fees to visit the bank, but loan processing and application fees may apply depending on the services used.
Who is this open to — anyone, or only residents/members?
This institution primarily serves small business owners and entrepreneurs within the regional area, but eligibility is based on loan criteria rather than residency alone.
Can a non-bank entity provide financing if my personal credit score is below 640?
Yes — non-bank lenders like Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation's pipeline is fully digital from start to finish depends on the provider. Check Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation's website or ask their team how much of the process you can complete online.
Is this open on weekends?
Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation's website or call to confirm when staff are actually available.
How do I get there and where do I park?
Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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, Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation, 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation itself, which runs its own lending under its own ownership. If you work at Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation, you can claim this listing from this page to manage it.
How current is the information on this page?
The core details for Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation — 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation before applying. If you represent Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation, claim this listing to keep its information up to date.
How do I contact this listing directly?
Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation can be reached by phone at (727) 895-2504 (toll-free: 800-850-2504), fax at (727) 822-2504, or by regional email: clarue@sedco504.com (West Florida), ecoker@sedco504.com (Central Florida), or mfrid@sedco504.com (Community Advantage Program). Confirm details directly with the lender.
How do non-bank lender approval requirements differ from standard commercial institutions?
Non-bank lenders like Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation.
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, Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation sets its own focus and may serve a broad mix of industries. Ask Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation permits this, and on what terms, depends on the lender and the SBA rules in play. Confirm with Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation 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 Sunshine State Economic Development Corporation how it handles a valuation shortfall before you commit.



