Founded in 2013, the Southeast Economic Development Fund (SEED$) helps entrepreneurs in the surrounding Missouri area develop and grow their businesses. “The non-profit organization serves an eight-county area: St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, Madison, Iron, Perry, Bollinger and Cape Girardeau.“
In an effort to help expand awareness for business opportunities and development SEED$ provides one-on-one business coaching, “along with technical assistance, group training and workshops that are held to benefit both start-ups and existing businesses.” In addition, since 2013, “SEED$ has counseled and trained more than 200 small business owners and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, including service, retail, food, manufacturing and hospitality. Additionally, eight loans totaling $362,500 have been approved with 54 full-time and two part-time jobs retained and/or created as a result of those loans.”
The organization receives its funding from the Washington County Industrial Development Authority which granted it $250,000 to for small businesses loans in Washington County, and the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) through USDA Rural Development, which awarded SEED$ $75,519 “to assist in providing financial and business services to entrepreneurs, small and micro-businesses and job-generating agencies across Southeast Missouri.”
“The organization also helps qualifying small and micro-businesses gain access to loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 for start-up and expansion” in their Park Hills location.
If you’re a Missouri business looking for additional information on the organization, check them out their available services or make an appointment with a business development coach, through phone at 573-431-4296 or email at [email protected].