MEO Business Development Corporation   

MEO Business Development Corp. (MEO BDC) is a nonprofit microenterprise development program providing microenterprise loans, business planning classes, and consultation services to the residents of Maui County. MEO BDC has been certified by the U.S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2000.

Since its beginning in 1997, MEO Business Development Corp. has helped create more than 750 new businesses and developed or retained over 1,050 jobs. In addition, MEO BDC has trained more than 600 low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs, giving them the business skills to combine with their passion for success. MEO BDC has also made 546 loans, totaling more than $2.5 million, for an average investment of $4,602 per loan client. Just over three hundred (300) of these loans were to start up businesses and the rest were for working capital, expansion or the purchase of fixed assets for existing businesses.

MEO BDC offers small business loans ranging from $500 to $10,000. These loans are to be used to startup operations or for the expansion of an existing small business. Step loans are also available up to $25,000 after six months of on time payments on the initial loan. MEO BDC also has emergency loans available to small businesses who find themselves in need of a small amount of cash to get them over a cash flow crunch. This fund offers $200-$2,000 in loans per client and a very quick turnaround time from application to funding.

MEO BDC also offers the Core Four Business Planning course, a 30 hour course that helps you analyze business opportunity and plan for success. Over 1,050 students have graduated from these business planning courses. The course, usually scheduled in 3-hour sessions, is offered a total of 10 times a year through MEO BDC’s Wailuku (Maui) and Kaunakakai (Molokai) offices. Core Four will guide you in the development of a realistic, achievable plan for your business. It has proven its value for prospective entrepreneurs as well as existing small business owners. Financial Aid is available for this course through grants from Maui County Office of Economic Development and OHA.

Susie Thieman, MEO BDC CEO and primary instructor of the Core Four classes, was named the Minority Small Business Champion of the Year for Maui County in 2006 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

MEO BDC programs are funded by grants from the Maui County, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, State of Hawaii Office of Community Services, State of Hawaii Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation & Services to the Blind and the State of Hawaii Office of Hawaiian Affairs.


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