Arcata Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) North Edge: Business Financing & Community Development press release:

After 46 years of service to the community, Arcata Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is changing their name to North Edge: Business Financing & Community Development. The new name represents the organization’s mission and service area while staying true to its core commitment to support small businesses and foster community development across Northern California.

When North Edge—formerly known as AEDC—was first established in 1978, it provided lending services exclusively to the City of Arcata to support housing rehabilitation and small business development. Since then, they’ve expanded their service area from Arcata to a six-county region and increased their services beyond lending.

“We’ve expanded to serve Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Siskiyou, and Trinity counties,” said Susan Seaman, Program Director. “Before our name change, folks in these communities didn’t see themselves in our name, so we wanted to go with something more inclusive.”

The transformation from AEDC to North Edge: Business Financing and Community Development reflects their commitment to bringing the northernmost parts of California to the forefront of equitable economic prosperity. It’s not just a name change; it’s a step towards uplifting the region and giving small business owners the financial edge they need to grow. 

As a nonprofit Economic Development Corporation (EDC), North Edge prioritizes providing affordable loans to those who need them most. The organization offers a range of financing options, including SBA 504 Loans, USDA Rural Development IRP funds, and SBA Microloans, ensuring that businesses in Northern California have the capital they need to operate.

North Edge is more than just a lender; they also partner with various community organizations to promote a resilient and equitable rural economy across Northern California. Initiatives such as the Redwood Region RISE, an initiative of California Jobs First and the Redwood Coast Region Economic Development Summit highlight North Edge’s commitment to regional economic prosperity.

“We’re not just about business loans—we’re really about overall community development and engagement,” explained Hannah Joy, business development and loan officer. “The name North Edge better captures our mission, the area we serve, and the people that we’re here to support. Our name is changing, but our services are not. North Edge is just the next chapter of the story.” 

To learn more about the services offered, visit their new website at northedgefinancing.org.