Valley Economic Development Partners

What Valley Economic Development Partners does

Valley Economic Development Partners (d/b/a Valley Partners) is a private, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, founded in 1978 as the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation and rebranded in 2020. The organization provides small business lending, technical assistance, and community development programming to underserved entrepreneurs and SMBs across a multi-county footprint spanning eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, with SBA 504 and 7(a) products distributed statewide in Ohio.

Its core offerings include SBA 504 loans (up to $5.5 million), SBA 7(a) loans (up to $5 million), the CDFI Grow-Biz Fund (up to $250,000), and a portfolio of revolving loan funds sourced from the EDA, USDA, Ohio Development Services Agency, and local municipalities. These debt products are paired with non-debt services: a free Business Resource Center operating as a Tier I Minority Business Assistance Center, a Business Accounting & Legal Assistance Grant Program that awards $8,000 per graduating cohort, the annual Women's LeadHERship Summit, and Valley Growth Ventures, a for-profit investment fund co-developed with the Youngstown Business Incubator and other regional partners.

The organization generates revenue through loan interest and fees across its SBA and revolving loan portfolio, supplemented by CDFI Fund grants, foundation grants, and bank donations. Distribution relies on direct lending from its Youngstown headquarters, referral partnerships with regional banks (Huntington, Farmers National, WesBanco, First National, Mercer County State Bank, Middlefield), and co-funding relationships with federal and state economic development agencies. The organization has assisted over 2,000 businesses, adding or retaining more than 19,000 jobs since inception.

Name

Valley Economic Development Partners

Legal name

Valley Economic Development Partners

Website

https://valleyedp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Lending / Community Development Finance

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Impact Investing & Social Finance (Funds, CDFIs, Microfinance) (BPAGALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI), SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI), Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• SBA loans
• CDFI lending
• Economic development finance
• Community development lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Loan Interest and Fees: Revenue generated from interest on loans issued through SBA 504, 7(a), and various revolving loan fund programs. Fees associated with loan processing and servicing.
2. CDFI Fund Grants and Program Revenue: Funding received through CDFI Fund certification and program grants to support operations and lending activities in underserved communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Valley Economic Development Partners is a CDFI providing small business lending through SBA 504 and 7(a) loans, multiple revolving loan funds, and the CDFI Grow-Biz Fund. Complementary offerings include the Business Resource Center (free technical assistance), the Business Accounting & Legal Assistance Grant Program ($8,000 grants), and the Valley Growth Ventures investment fund for high-growth companies.

Product overview

Valley Economic Development Partners (d/b/a Valley Partners) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing a portfolio of loan products and business support services. The core offerings include SBA 504 and 7(a) loans, various revolving loan funds (EDA, Ohio, USDA, Local), and the CDFI Grow-Biz Fund. These loan products are complemented by the Business Accounting & Legal Assistance Grant Program (providing $8,000 grants), the Business Resource Center for technical assistance, and the Women's LeadHERship Summit for professional development. Valley Growth Ventures provides venture capital for high-growth companies. The organization serves as a Certified Development Corporation authorized to process SBA loans and partners with local financial institutions and economic development agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SBA 504 Loan Long-term, fixed-rate SBA loan program providing up to $5.5 million in financing for major fixed assets including real estate, equipment, and building improvements to promote business growth and job creation.
• SBA 7(a) / Community Advantage Loan SBA loan program offering up to $5 million for real estate acquisition, working capital, debt refinancing, machinery and equipment, and changes of ownership for small businesses.
• SBA ILP Revolving Loan Fund SBA Intermediary Lending Program revolving loan fund providing up to $200,000 for working capital, real estate, or acquisition of materials, supplies, furniture, fixtures, or equipment.
• CDFI Grow-Biz Fund Loan product up to $250,000 for businesses located within the CDFI tract, requiring 10% equity injection, covering machinery/equipment, inventory, working capital, real estate, leasehold improvements, and technology-based companies.
• EDA Revolving Loan Funds Includes EDGE & EDGE II (Economically Disadvantaged Grow into Entrepreneurs) for working capital or startup costs, MVILF for land/building purchases, and VPRLF for fixed assets and tenant improvements.
• Ohio Revolving Loan Funds Includes Ohio SUCCESS (up to $1,000,000 for working capital, inventory, supplies, fixed assets, building acquisition/construction) and State 166 (up to $1,000,000 for industry, commerce, distribution, or research activities).
• USDA Revolving Loan Funds Includes RBEG (Laus Deo and East Palestine) and USDA IRP for businesses within USDA tract in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties, with loan amount up to $150,000.
• Local Revolving Loan Funds Various loan funds for businesses in designated cities and counties including Ashtabula, Mahoning County, Trumbull County, Warren City, and Youngstown City.
• Daycare Revolving Loan Fund Revolving loan fund specifically for daycare business financing needs.
• Common Wealth Revolving Loan Funds Loan funds for businesses located within Mahoning and Trumbull County for working capital, startup costs, fixed assets, machinery/equipment, and tenant improvements.
• Business Accounting & Legal Assistance Grant Program 6-week course program providing entrepreneurs with an $8,000 grant for accounting and legal professional services upon completion; covers business plan development, legal/insurance principles, marketing, tax returns, and financial statements.
• Business Resource Center (BRC) Free technical assistance and certified Tier I Minority Business Assistance Center providing business plans, projections, connections to professionals, and monthly seminars for small business owners.
• Valley Growth Ventures (VGV) For-profit investment fund supporting high-growth companies, formed in collaboration with YBI, TBEIC/BRITE, YSURF, and Mercy Health, with capital from Ohio's Third Frontier and EDA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 businesses assisted since 1978
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Youngstown Warren Regional ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey regional economic development partner; Chamber team won VP Golf Outing with score of 55; collaborated on Salute to Business events and community initiatives.
• Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Valley Growth Ventures investment fund; MBAC partner for minority business assistance; collaborated on Shark Tank events and business incubator programs.
• Western Reserve Port Authority (WRPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver sponsor of VP Golf Outing; regional economic development partner in Mahoning Valley.
• Lake to River Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development partner covering Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Counties; collaborated on grant opportunity presentations for manufacturers.
• HD Growth PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEO Tim Petrey named Business Advocate of the Year; consulting partner for Business Accounting & Legal Assistance Grant program; co-presenters at seminars.
• Junior Achievement of Eastern OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for financial literacy programs; VP participated in JA's 5th Annual Swing Fore JA Golf Outing.
• United Way - Youngstown Mahoning ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Pack the Valley event providing thousands of non-perishable meals to families; community impact partnership.
• Inspiring MindsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development nonprofit; VP Golf Outing raised $3,000 (with additional donation) to support their van purchase goal for transporting program participants.
• City of YoungstowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Youngstown Façade Program ($1M ARPA funding) and City Revolving Loan Fund ($2M ARPA); collaborated on Thank You Youngstown events.
• City of WarrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Warren City Revolving Loan Fund; collaborated on Thank You Warren: Partnering for Impact events; Mayor Doug Franklin participated in recognition events.
• Ohio APEX Accelerator at YSUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTech accelerator partner through Valley Growth Ventures investment fund; collaborated on innovation ecosystem development.
• Minority Business Assistance Centers (MBAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValley Partners operates as Tier I MBAC providing specialized technical assistance to minority-owned businesses; Tanisha Wheeler serves as Regional Director for Youngstown/Warren Region.
• Direction Home of Eastern OhiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Pack the Valley community meal program for families in need.
• Intentional Development Group (IDG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Small Business Pitch Lab events and Holiday Market vendor opportunities; CEO Carmella Williams serves as panelist at Seeds for Growth.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bridgeway Capital: Pittsburgh-based CDFI providing SBA, EDA, and revolving loan funds to small businesses in underserved western Pennsylvania communities — directly comparable CDFI business model, similar SBA/EDA fund stack, and overlapping geography.
• Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI): Maine-based CDFI providing small business lending, venture capital, and consulting to underserved entrepreneurs — same CDFI-plus-venture-finance structure (CEI Ventures) and similar community-development mission.
• BCL of Texas: Texas CDFI offering SBA 504 packaging, revolving loan funds, and small business technical assistance — directly comparable SBA-authorized CDC/CDFI with grant-funded technical assistance programs.
• Pacific Community Ventures: California-based CDFI and impact-investing nonprofit providing small business capital and advisory to underserved entrepreneurs — comparable CDFI structure combining lending, advising, and place-based mission.
• Appalachian Community Capital (ACC): CDFI intermediary focused on Appalachian small-business lending and capital aggregation — overlapping economic-development mission and similar multi-state rural/small-metro geography.
• Reinvestment Fund: Philadelphia-based CDFI providing small business, housing, and community development financing across the Mid-Atlantic and Rust-Belt — directly comparable CDFI with similar SBA/community-advantage presence.
• Capital Impact Partners: National CDFI providing small business and community development capital to underserved entrepreneurs — directly comparable CDFI business model with similar federal-program capital stack.

Broad incumbents

• National Community Development Fund (Industry Alliance): CDFI industry trade association representing 1,400+ certified CDFIs nationwide — broader industry incumbent providing the regulatory/advocacy infrastructure that defines Valley Partners' operating context.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Federal agency that authorizes and oversees the SBA 504 and 7(a) programs Valley Partners originates — broad incumbent that defines the lending-program rules and capital structure.

Emerging players

• Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI): Regional startup incubator and co-founding partner of Valley Growth Ventures — adjacent ecosystem player providing entrepreneur pipeline that overlaps with Valley Partners' target small-business segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/valleyedp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/valley-economic-development-partners

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Valley Economic Development Partners