MetroPlains Management

What MetroPlains Management does

MetroPlains Management is a privately held, Fargo-based property management firm founded in 1983 that specializes in affordable and mixed-income rental housing across five U.S. states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma). The company manages approximately 5,425 units spanning 45+ apartment communities with roughly $622.9 million in assets under management, supported by 198 full-time employees. Its portfolio is anchored in regulated affordable housing programs — Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), USDA Rural Development, HUD, and project-based Section 8 vouchers — but also includes market-rate rentals, 55+/62+ senior living communities, and Artspace-branded artist live/work housing.

The core service offering is full-service property management: tenant screening, lease administration, rent collection through a Securecafe-based resident portal, maintenance coordination via JotForm-powered online applications, and financial reporting for property owners. The company supplements this with asset management services and a Digital Solutions division that handles digital marketing, IT support, and reporting. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the company website's property search, on-site leasing offices at each community, and third-party listing syndication. Customers are segmented into affordable housing seekers (primary), seniors 55+/62+, working artists, and property owners/investors.

Revenue is generated through managed-services fees on rental income, asset management fees, and ancillary revenue from leasing new developments built by partners such as Cubit Development Group and Beyond Shelter Inc. The firm has grown primarily organically — through new property mandates and developer partnerships — with notable recent additions including Avalon at Mandan Townhomes (2025), NEX Senior (2025), Northrup King Lofts opening Spring 2026, and the 2023 Gateway/Northgate expansion in Owatonna, MN. Leadership is stable under President & CEO Tammy Burtness, with deep internal promotion of executives holding HCCP and Section 8 specialist certifications.

Name

MetroPlains Management

Legal name

MetroPlains Management

Website

https://metroplains.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

MetroPlains Management is a privately held Fargo-based property management firm founded in 1983 that manages roughly 5,425 affordable, senior, and market-rate rental units across five U.S. states for property owners and residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Property Management

NAICS

Residential Property Managers (531311), Rental and Leasing Services (532)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Senior & Assisted Living Residential Property Management (BPAJAFAE), Multifamily Apartment Property Management (BPAJAFAA), Affordable Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing management
• LIHTC property management
• Multifamily rental housing
• Senior living management
• Income-restricted apartments

Headquarters

HQ city

Fargo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Property Management Fees: Revenue generated through property management services for apartment communities across multiple states. The company manages residential properties and earns fees for tenant placement, property maintenance, and administrative services.
2. Asset Management Services: Strategic property management aimed at maximizing value for owners and investors while providing quality environments for residents. Focuses on minimizing vacancies and maximizing profits for property owners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MetroPlains Management provides full-service residential property management for owners and investors across a portfolio of 45+ apartment communities and 5,425 units in five U.S. states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma), with deep specialization in affordable and income-restricted housing programs (LIHTC, Rural Development, HUD). The company serves residents directly through apartment leasing and on-site property services while delivering property management, asset management, and development services to property owners.

Product overview

MetroPlains Management is a property management company that operates as a single unified service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Their core offering is full-service property management for apartment communities across multiple states (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma). The company manages a diverse portfolio of residential properties including affordable housing communities utilizing LIHTC, Rural Development, and HUD programs, as well as market-rate properties, senior living communities (55+, 62+), and artist-preference housing through Artspace partnerships. Key managed property brands include Library Square (senior living), Milton Earl (senior living), Homefield (senior living), Heritage Square (senior living), NEX Senior (senior living), Jameshouse and Posthouse (historic senior properties), Northside Artspace Lofts, Northrup King Lofts (artist housing), Gateway and Northgate (Owatonna communities), Eagle Flats, Water's Edge, Hilltop Cottages, and various other apartment communities. The portfolio encompasses approximately 5,425 units managed across the five-state region. The company's Digital Solutions division provides technology support including digital marketing, IT solutions, and data analysis for the managed properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• $622,863,397 in assets under management
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CCRI (Creative Care for Reaching Independence)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2025Moorhead-based nonprofit providing care and support to individuals with disabilities. MetroPlains Management Foundation donated $4,000 to enhance CCRI's quality of care and support services.
• LWO Properties and DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2025Affordable housing developer providing quality housing across Minnesota and the Midwest. Partnered with MetroPlains Management Foundation on donation to Lighthouse of Southern Minnesota.
• Lighthouse of Southern MinnesotaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Owatonna-based nonprofit providing safe housing, recovery programs, and supportive services to individuals in recovery. MetroPlains Management Foundation, in partnership with LWO Properties, donated to support their mission.
• Pearl Crisis CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 October 2025Milaca-based nonprofit providing support to victims of domestic violence through direct services, prevention efforts, and community awareness. MetroPlains Foundation donated in support of their ongoing work.
• Cubit Development GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2025Developer of Avalon at Mandan Townhomes in Mandan, ND. MetroPlains handles leasing and management of the 25-unit townhome community developed by Cubit.
• JN ContractingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 September 2025Construction contractor for Avalon at Mandan Townhomes project. Built the 25 two-story townhomes opening October 2025.
• AspireMNminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 September 2025Statewide association of 40+ member organizations serving over 30,000 children and families annually. MetroPlains Foundation donated $1,000 to support training, networking, and innovative programs.
• United Way of Cass-ClayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 2025Regional United Way chapter serving the Fargo area. MetroPlains Fargo employees participated in 'Blankets for Good' initiative creating fleece tie blankets for children transitioning out of homelessness.
• Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 April 2025Nonprofit dedicated to defending Minnesota's environment through legal action, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. MetroPlains Foundation donated $1,000 to support environmental protection efforts.
• Beyond Shelter Inc. (BSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2024North Dakota-based nonprofit Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) that develops affordable housing. MetroPlains partners with BSI across several properties in the Fargo area including The Milton Earl. BSI was awarded $400,000 Member Impact Fund grant from Federal Home Loan Bank Des Moines with MetroPlains supporting their mission.
• Make-A-Wish MinnesotaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 August 2024Organization bringing hope, strength, and joy to children with critical illnesses by granting heartfelt wishes. MetroPlains Foundation donated $1,000 to support their life-changing work.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WinnCompanies: Boston-based multifamily owner and third-party manager with ~100,000 units across affordable, market-rate, and military housing. Comparable in fee-based management of affordable housing portfolios and asset-light service model.
• Dominium: One of the largest LIHTC-focused apartment owners/managers in the U.S., managing ~30,000 affordable units across 20+ states. Most directly comparable to MetroPlains given similar LIHTC specialization and third-party management model.
• Asset Living: Houston-based third-party property manager with ~300,000 units under management, including affordable housing. Comparable as a large-scale, multi-state fee-based PM operator with similar GTM (digital leasing, on-site offices).
• The Michaels Organization: National affordable housing developer and property manager operating ~75,000 units across 20+ states. Directly comparable in LIHTC/HUD specialization, senior housing, and mixed-income portfolio construction.

Broad incumbents

• The Related Companies: National real estate firm with a major affordable housing arm (Related Affordable) managing tens of thousands of LIHTC and subsidized units. Comparable LIHTC specialization but operates at vastly larger scale across more geographies.
• Greystar Real Estate Partners: Largest multifamily property manager globally with ~$320B AUM. Comparable in third-party fee-based management model across multifamily, though Greystar is predominantly market-rate and luxury rather than affordable-focused.
• Bozzuto Group: Mid-Atlantic multifamily developer and manager with ~85,000 units. Comparable in third-party PM services for institutional owners, though focused on market-rate and luxury rather than affordable housing.

Emerging players

• The NRP Group: Cleveland-based affordable housing developer and manager with ~30,000 units across 13 states. Comparable in Midwest concentration, LIHTC specialization, and developer-manager integration.
• Volunteers of America National Services: Nonprofit operator of affordable and supportive housing with ~30,000 units nationally. Comparable in serving LIHTC, senior, and special-needs populations through a mission-driven operating model.

Regional players

• Edward Rose Building Enterprise: Michigan-based multifamily owner-operator concentrated in the Midwest. Comparable in regional Midwest footprint and multifamily expertise, though primarily market-rate and owner-operated rather than fee-based PM.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/metroplains
• Facebookfacebook.com/MetroPlainsManagement
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metroplains-management
• Instagraminstagram.com/metroplains

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about MetroPlains Management