Metropolitan Economic Development Association

Meda's mission is to Help BIPOC Entrepreneurs Succeed. Our theory of communities of color is a primary strategy to build a more just and fair economy. To fulfil our mission, Meda provides integrated, wrap-around services in the areas all entrepreneurs need to be successful to grow and scale their businesses- Management Education, Money, and Market. Meda's services and products are available to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Entrepreneurs exclusively. Continued on Schedule OIn 2023, Meda focused on helping BIPOC Entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed in this ever-changing Economic Environment. We provided emergency and sophisticated business consulting and volunteering to help BIPOC Entrepreneurs and Businesses.Our CDFI provided Paycheck Protection Program funding, lines of credit and other term debt products to fund hiring, inventory, and equipment. Meda's Minnesota MBDA Business Center and Ascend Twin Cities connected BIPOC contractors to secure contracts that lead to sustainable growth. In all, Meda served 799 BIPOC Entrepreneurs, helping them secure $18.7 million in finance and securing 18 contracts worth $33.1 million. These results led to the creation or maintenance of 1,316 jobs in these businesses.